Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s tariff policy applied to India. He said that heavy tariffs imposed on India are a big mistake in bilateral relations. The US has imposed a total of 50 percent tariff on India, out of which 25 per cent has been implemented on August 7, the second 25 per cent has been imposed on purchasing oil from Russia, which will be applicable from August 27. On this, Bolton said that due to tariffs, trust between the two countries has suffered a setback.

Interestingly, Bolton also mentioned Pakistan in his statement. He jokingly said that Prime Minister Modi can offer Trump to nominate Trump twice for the Nobel Peace Prize. In June, the Government of Pakistan formally recommended Trump’s name for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Pakistan had claimed that Donald Trump’s decisive diplomatic intervention played an important role in the India-Pakistan struggle. However, India has completely dismissed that America has played a role in the ceasefire of India-Pakistan.

Trump rescues and accuses India
Defending the decision related to his tariff, Trump claimed that India is buying a large amount of oil from Russia and selling it on profits in the international market. He wrote on social media platform Truth social that India does not care that this money is strengthening Russia in Russia-Ukraine war. At the same time, Bolton said that China is also buying Russian oil, but such tariffs or secondary restrictions were not imposed on Beijing.

Trump’s attack on media and critics
Trump attacked the media over the coverage of the meeting with Putin in Alaska and taunted that even if he gets Moscow and Leningrad from Russia, the media will criticize him. He dismissed his statements, calling John Bolton a fool.

Effect on international diplomacy
Heavy tariffs on India are not only affecting bilateral trade, but are also causing tension in international diplomacy. Experts believe that if this dispute is prolonged, it can also affect defense cooperation, technical partnership and Indo-Pacific strategy.

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