Finnish President Stubb Urges Trump to Adopt a Cooperative and Respectful Policy Towards India. Amidst Tariffs and US-India Tensions, India is Moving Closer to China and Russia, Posing a Challenge for the US.
Trump Tariffs: Few people are believed to have influence over American President Donald Trump. In this context, his close friend, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, has advised Trump to revise his foreign policy approach concerning India and the Global South. Stubb clarified that if the US does not adopt a cooperative and respectful policy towards countries like India, it could result in strategic losses for Western nations.
Stubb stated that his message is not just for European allies but also for the United States. He believes that cooperation and a respectful policy towards countries of the Global South are what can keep the US in the global game for the long term.
India's Role at the SCO Summit
Recently, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was held in Tianjin, China, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. During this meeting, several photos and videos emerged, showing the three key global leaders in the same frame.
Referring to this meeting, Finnish President Stubb said it was a moment of reminder for the US and Europe that India and countries of the Global South are playing significant roles in global politics. He warned that if the US ignores cooperation and respect in its efforts to preserve the remnants of old global powers, it could lose the game.
Trump and Stubb's Close Friendship
Alexander Stubb is considered a very close friend of Trump. In March 2025, the Finnish President played golf for seven hours with Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. A deep friendship developed between them during this time.
Some reports suggest that Stubb is among the select European leaders whose opinions can influence Trump. According to American media, Stubb's access to Trump is so unique that no leader from any small European country has ever had such access. For this reason, Stubb was invited to the White House in August to discuss the situation with Russia alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Impact of American Tariffs on India
The former President Joe Biden administration had focused on strengthening relations with India. India was viewed as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific, and strategies were formulated accordingly. However, with the arrival of the Trump administration, a 25% tariff was imposed on India.
Subsequently, Trump, displeased with India's purchase of Russian oil, increased the tariff by an additional 25%, bringing the total tariff to 50%. This move had a detrimental effect on India's textile, diamond, and many other industries. Trade negotiations between the two countries failed, and the situation became tense.
The Likelihood of India Moving Closer to China
Due to tariffs and American policies, India has cautiously increased its proximity in relations with China. American experts are expressing concern that Trump's destructive tariff policies have nullified decades of efforts aimed at distancing India from Russia and alerting it to the threat from China.
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton stated that due to Trump's policies, India is once again moving closer to Russia and increasing its closeness with China. He believes this situation is a cause for concern for American interests.
