Donald Trump’s fiery return to the global stage has reshaped India’s foreign policy calculus. His tariffs, threats of “Phase-2 and Phase-3” sanctions, and accusations of “one-sided” trade have pushed New Delhi to re-evaluate its strategic partnerships.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)—led by China, Russia, and key Eurasian states—has emerged as India’s platform of choice to showcase strategic autonomy. This shift enhances the SCO’s relevance while casting shadows over QUAD and AUKUS, both of them vital to Western Indo-Pacific strategies.
SCO Summit in Focus
At the 2025 Tianjin SCO Summit, Prime Minister Modi shared the stage with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, signaling a strong Eurasian tilt. The optics underlined India’s willingness to diversify beyond Washington’s embrace.
🔎 Why India is Moving Closer to SCO
Strategic Autonomy: India avoids overdependence on the US by balancing ties with Russia, China, and Central Asia.
Connectivity & Energy: SCO deepens India’s access to Eurasian trade and energy corridors and also the Rare Earth Elements which previously China has banned to be exported to India.
Policy Uncertainty from Trump: His transactional style and tariff shocks make long-term US alignment risky.
📊 India’s Position: SCO vs QUAD vs AUKUS
Bloc Members India’s Role Key Focus 2025 Outlook
SCO China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Central Asia Full member Security, energy, Eurasian trade Rising relevance
QUAD India, US, Japan, Australia Founding member Indo-Pacific security At risk if India cools
AUKUS Australia, UK, US Not a member Submarine tech, security Limited e0ngagement
🌐 Impact on Global Groupings
QUAD (India, US, Japan, Australia):
India’s reticence risks weakening QUAD’s Indo-Pacific strategy, reducing its unity to a “3+1” framework.
AUKUS (Australia, UK, US):
While India isn’t part of AUKUS, its reduced alignment with the West limits potential cooperation in defense tech and maritime security.
⚖️ The Bigger Picture: Multipolarity Accelerates
Trump’s confrontational style is accelerating multipolarity—empowering SCO, BRICS+, and other Eurasian blocs. For India, this pivot provides diplomatic leverage but requires balancing China’s dominance and Russia’s interests.
🏁 Conclusion
Donald Trump’s policies may be isolating India from Washington, but they are also strengthening India’s hand within the SCO. While this grants India options, it complicates the Indo-Pacific equation for QUAD and AUKUS.
India’s true challenge is not choosing one bloc over another, but managing a multi-vector diplomacy in an increasingly polarized world.
India’s export sector has been greatly affected especially Textiles and diamond trade almost coming to a halt. India has started exporting to other but is likely to loose a lot in these sectors in the battle.