India was under pressure by both sides, the USA and China.  Part of the Trump Indo-pacific plan was a geopolitical trade strategy aligning the United States with India.  However, Beijing was pressuring India to reject alignment with the USA and form a mutually beneficial trade block with China.

India has rejected the Chinese plan and chosen to follow the USA model because access to the U.S. consumer base is the stronger economic influence.

The result? Once again, sad Panda.

INDIA – India has sided with the United States (US) President Donald Trump on the trade war with Xi Jinping of China. Reports indicate that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready to accept all conditions of the US in a trade deal.

Trump raised tariffs on most Chinese imports to 145%, citing the need to reduce the trade deficit and encourage domestic manufacturing.

In retaliation, China has imposed 125% tariffs on US goods and implemented non-tariff barriers, including export controls on critical rare-earth elements.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Trump in the White House in February 2025.

After the meeting, the leaders announced they would pursue a “framework” for greater cooperation.

“ Prime Minister Modi and I have agreed that we will be in negotiations to address the long-running disparities,” Trump said.

“But really, we want a certain level of playing field, which we really think we’re entitled to.”

On the other hand, Modi said India and the US will have a MEGA partnership for prosperity.

He said India is working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in the American context translates into MIGA.

“An excellent meeting with Trump at the White House. Our talks will add significant momentum to the India-USA friendship,” Modi said.

[…] Modi’s move is despite persuasion by Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in India, for Modi to join forces with the Asian country.

Jing said India and China should stand together against US tariff actions as the two largest developing nations. (more)