India Walks a Tightrope Between Trump & Putin | India–US Relations | Barkha Dutt | Mojo Story
Professor C. Raja Mohan tells Barkha Dutt that India’s trade policy reflects confidence and strategic autonomy, not confrontation, amid shifting U.S. ties.
In a detailed interview with Barkha Dutt, renowned foreign policy expert Professor C. Raja Mohan, one of India’s leading strategic thinkers, examined India’s evolving trade and geopolitical stance amid tensions with the United States. The discussion centered on Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s bold statement that India “will not do a deal with a gun held to its head,” marking a move from compliance to strategic independence.
Professor Mohan explained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from the ASEAN Summit was shaped by election commitments and an unfinished trade deal rather than political signaling. He highlighted how domestic priorities and pragmatic timing often outweigh symbolic gestures in diplomacy.
Addressing U.S. sanctions on Russian oil, Mohan said India’s purchases were guided by economic logic — discounted rates that benefited the national budget. He added that as prices stabilize and sanctions tighten, India’s shift away from Russian oil is natural, not a retreat.
On wider geopolitics, Mohan noted India’s steady outreach to new power centers like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, while maintaining balance in South Asia. Despite temporary disruptions in U.S.-India ties under Donald Trump’s unpredictable policies, he remained optimistic, citing two decades of consistent growth in bilateral relations across administrations.
In conclusion, Barkha Dutt summed up the conversation by emphasizing Mohan’s message of strategic patience and adaptability — that India must stay confident, flexible, and focused on its long-term national interest as global power equations evolve.
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