Recent diplomatic maneuvers suggest a strengthening of ties between China, Russia, and India, a trend that scholars attribute, in part, to the impact of United States trade and foreign policy decisions. The potential visits of key foreign ministers and ongoing high-level communications signal a new phase in the relationships among these major global powers.

Chinese Foreign Minister wang Yi is anticipated to visit India next week, with reports indicating a possible arrival in New Delhi on August 18. This would mark his first visit to India in over three years. Concurrently, Indian foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to Russia for engagements on August 20-21. These diplomatic exchanges follow President Putin’s recent discussions with leaders from both China and India,detailing his contacts with the United States concerning the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

U.S. Policies and the Unintended Consequences

The United States’ strategy, particularly under former President Trump’s management, of using tariffs and foreign policy to isolate China appears to have backfired. Instead, analysis suggests it has fostered greater alignment among China, Russia, and India, along with other key BRICS nations. This unintended consequence stems from policies that have redefined international economic and political interactions.

A notable example is the U.S. decision to impose a 50% tariff on India,citing its purchases of Russian oil. This action, a departure from the Biden administration’s previous approach of restraining China through India, has subtly reshaped the trilateral dynamics. While the article from August 2025 notes these developments, understanding ancient context, such as the U.S. stance during the Biden administration, is crucial for grasping the full scope of these shifts.

Resilience in Russia-India Relations

Even under pressure from the United States, Russia and India have not only maintained but actively strengthened their bilateral relationship. India’s invitation to President Putin for a visit later this year, to attend the annual Indian-Russian summit, underscores this enduring partnership.This continued engagement highlights India’s strategic autonomy.

Challenges to Strategic Consensus

Despite the observable convergence, experts caution that profound differences in national interests and strategic priorities persist among China, Russia, and India. As scholars such as Lin minwang of Fudan University and Harsh V. Pant of King’s College London point out, the core motivations for closer ties are frequently enough rooted in external pressures rather than an innate strategic alignment.

Historical narratives and national aspirations, such as India’s pride in its ancient civilization and Russia’s imperial ambitions, coupled with lingering border disputes and political differences between China and India, present significant hurdles to achieving a unified strategic direction. These underlying complexities suggest that while cooperation may increase, deep-seated strategic disagreements could limit long-term consensus.

The current geopolitical landscape, shaped by policies that prioritize national interests, appears to be creating opportunities for countries to seek stronger relationships with China to mitigate U.S. pressure. This trend suggests that the United States’ efforts to achieve strategic isolation may be yielding the opposite effect, fostering a more interconnected multipolar world.