New Delhi – Just as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit wraps up in Tianjin with India and China exchanging warm diplomatic hugs, the U.S. Embassy in India has rolled out a glowing tribute to its “enduring friendship” with India. Posted earlier today at 06:00 UTC, the message gushes about a partnership “reaching new heights” and spotlights innovation, defense, and bilateral ties under the hashtag #USIndiaFWDforOurPeople. Oh, how timely!
The SCO summit, where Putin and Xi met post-Trump’s Alaska Ukraine talks, hinted at a thawing India-China relationship, with analysts noting Beijing’s subtle moves to woo India away from U.S.-led blocs like QUAD amid Trump’s trade war.
Coincidentally, the White House recently grumbled about India’s trade with Russia propping up its economy despite U.S. sanctions. Could this be why America’s memory of its Indian friendship suddenly pinged?
Secretary of State Rubio’s optimistic quote about the “tremendous potential” of this bond feels like a diplomatic wink, conveniently sidestepping Trump’s tariff penalties on Indian oil or his chummy invite to Pakistan’s Asim Munir—moves that raised Indian eyebrows. The embassy’s focus on defense and innovation might nod to QUAD, but the SCO’s expanding membership, now boasting India and Pakistan, casts a long shadow over this “defining relationship.”
The message arrives as the 2024 India-China border deal remains frosty, yet the SCO summit suggests a potential pivot east that America might be eager to counter. With no mention of recent QUAD snubs or Trump’s circle’s colorful remarks, this feels like a classic “let’s be friends again” gesture. Perhaps the U.S. hopes India overlooks the past and joins the hashtag party before fully embracing its SCO dance partners. For now, this love note seems less about history and more about keeping up with the geopolitical beat—better late than never, right?