Overview

• After posting that the US had "lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China," President Donald Trump told reporters he would always be friends with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but reiterated displeasure over India’s Russian oil purchases.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied on X that he "deeply appreciate[s] and fully reciprocate[s]" Trump’s sentiments, calling the partnership positive and forward-looking.
• US duties on Indian goods now stand near 50% after an added 25% levy tied to India’s purchases of Russian crude took effect on August 27, a move New Delhi calls unfair and unreasonable.
• India’s External Affairs Ministry rejected White House adviser Peter Navarro’s comments labeling India an "oil money laundromat" for Russia as inaccurate and misleading.
• Indian officials are signaling a cautious, wait‑and‑watch posture as optics from the SCO summit featuring Modi with Xi and Putin draw scrutiny and as India defends discounted Russian crude as an energy-security choice.