WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has launched a sharp attack on Donald Trump’s trade policies, warning that the former president’s tariffs on India have undone decades of Western diplomatic efforts. Bolton said Trump’s tariff-first strategy has damaged U.S. relations with India at a time when Washington has sought to build stronger ties with New Delhi to counter China’s growing influence. He argued that the tariffs have “shredded decades of efforts” to steer India away from its Cold War links with Russia.

“The West has spent decades trying to wean India away from its Cold War attachment to the Soviet Union and cautioning India on the threat posed by China,” Bolton said. “Donald Trump has shredded decades of efforts with his disastrous tariff policy.”

Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser from 2018 to 2019, resigned over foreign policy disputes. He said Trump’s narrow economic view has broader consequences, risking both trade and security ties.

Trump recently slapped a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports. He later imposed another 25 percent penalty on Indian businesses tied to Russia, effectively creating a 50 percent tariff burden. Bolton said those measures could push India closer to Beijing and Moscow at a critical moment for regional security.

“Trump’s unwillingness to consider diplomatic moves in a larger strategic context has allowed Xi Jinping to reset the East,” Bolton said.

New Delhi now faces fresh economic pressure while continuing to buy Russian crude oil despite Western sanctions. Bolton warned that the tariffs could undermine U.S. efforts to isolate Russia over its war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Bolton suggested that the tariffs create an opening for China to expand its influence in South Asia. He cautioned that India, long a strategic partner for the United States, could shift its alignment if Washington keeps pursuing punitive economic measures.

At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts saw those talks as a signal that India is keeping its options open amid global uncertainty. Bolton said Washington risks losing ground in the region. “By imposing punitive trade measures on India, the United States may have allowed Beijing to deepen ties with New Delhi and shift the regional balance,” he said.

Bolton’s criticism comes as he faces his own legal challenges. FBI agents raided his home last month in connection with an investigation involving classified documents. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the inquiry is ongoing, saying there is “broad concern” about Bolton’s handling of sensitive materials.

Trump, asked about the FBI search, distanced himself from his former aide. “I’m not a fan of John Bolton,” Trump said. “I didn’t know anything about the operation.” Despite his legal troubles, Bolton continues to issue warnings about Trump’s foreign policy record. He argued that Washington must repair ties with India before it is too late. “It’s going to take a lot of work,” he said. “But the work toward finding a solution has not yet begun.”

Experts say India’s role in balancing China’s rise makes it one of Washington’s most important strategic partners. But tariffs and economic friction could weaken trust and drive New Delhi closer to Moscow and Beijing. Bolton urged U.S. leaders to rethink their approach. He said trade disputes should not overshadow long-term security goals. “Strategic gains are hard-won,” he said. “They can be lost quickly when economic policies ignore the bigger picture.”