Trump's Personal Ties with Modi Are "Gone Now", Says Former NSA John Bolton:

Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton has stated that the once-strong personal relationship between former President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has effectively ended, calling it a cautionary tale for other world leaders. In a recent interview with British media outlet LBC, Bolton reflected on Trump’s foreign policy approach, emphasizing that the former president often viewed international relations through the lens of personal connections. “Trump had a very good relationship personally with Modi. I think that's gone now,” Bolton said. “And it’s a lesson to everybody — a good personal relationship may help at times, but it won't protect you from the worst.” Bolton’s remarks come at a time when India-US relations are facing one of their most strained periods in over two decades. Under the Trump administration, tensions grew over trade disputes, tariffs, and criticism of India's economic policies. Bolton highlighted that Trump's tariff policies and public criticism of New Delhi significantly harmed the bilateral relationship. "US-India Relations Set Back by Decades" In a social media post accompanying his interview, Bolton wrote that Trump’s approach has “set US-India relations back decades,” arguing that it has pushed Modi closer to Russia and China — a geopolitical shift that has long concerned US policymakers. “The White House’s missteps have undermined years of bipartisan efforts to align India more closely with the United States,” Bolton said. He noted that both Democratic and Republican administrations have worked to reduce India’s historic ties with Russia and encourage New Delhi to treat China as its primary strategic threat. “That has now been reversed,” Bolton warned. “I think it can be corrected again, but this is a very bad moment.” Tariffs on India: A Strategic Miscalculation? Bolton has previously criticized Trump’s imposition of tariffs on India, particularly in response to its purchase of Russian oil, calling it an “unforced error” that may have backfired diplomatically. According to him, such moves did not account for India’s long-standing defense ties with Russia and only served to alienate a key democratic ally in Asia. A Message to World Leaders Ahead of Trump’s UK Visit Trump is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19, and Bolton’s comments appear to serve as a warning to leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “Close personal ties with Trump may feel advantageous in the short term, but they don’t offer lasting protection from policy whiplash,” Bolton suggested. His statements also come at a time when his own activities have made headlines. Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington office were recently searched by the FBI as part of a criminal investigation into alleged mishandling of classified documents — a situation he has yet to comment on in detail. Conclusion John Bolton’s insights provide a stark reminder that personal rapport with Donald Trump does not guarantee stable international relations. As global leaders prepare for the possibility of Trump’s political return, Bolton’s words could shape how they approach future diplomacy with the United States.

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