Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him “grossly incompetent” for the deepening ties between India and Russia following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to New Delhi.
Rubin said many Americans are now “flabbergasted” to see the reversal in U.S.–India relations.
Putin, during his two-day state visit that concluded on December 5, reaffirmed Moscow’s pledge of “uninterrupted shipments” of oil and fuel to support India’s rapidly growing economy.
Observers say this is a clear signal that Russia is ready to step in as a long-term energy partner even as Western pressure mounts.
Charges of Hypocrisy and Strategic Miscalculation
Rubin argued the U.S. is being hypocritical by lecturing India over its purchase of Russian oil — pointing out that Washington itself continues to trade with Moscow.
He stressed that India, a nation with over 1.4 billion people and an economy poised to become the world’s third largest, must prioritize its energy security.
He questioned whether U.S. criticism is genuinely about moral high ground or rather motivated by geopolitical maneuvering:
There have been suggestions — albeit unproven — that “flattery or bribery” by interest groups from Pakistan or allied states (like Turkey and Qatar) might have pushed Trump toward adopting a tougher stance on India.
According to Rubin, such a payoff could saddle America with a strategic deficit for decades.
India’s Response — “Interests First”
Rubin said Indians elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect national interests, not to adopt policies that undermine their future.
If the U.S. expects India to stop buying Russian oil, Rubin believes they must first demonstrate they can supply India with energy affordably and reliably.
Until then, he said, “the U.S. should simply shut up” — because India’s security and development come first.
From Russia’s side, Putin’s assurances during the summit — calling Russia a “reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal and all that is required for India’s energy growth” — underscore how Moscow aims to cement its role as a dependable partner to New Delhi.
What Changed: A Reset in Strategic Alignments
According to Rubin, the rapidly warming Russia–India engagement, exemplified by the recent summit and fuel agreements, owes much to Trump’s foreign-policy decisions.
He went so far as to suggest Trump deserves a “Nobel Prize” — ironically — for catalyzing the strengthening of ties between Moscow and New Delhi.
At the same time, India’s willingness to move closer to Russia reflects its pragmatic imperatives: energy security, economic growth, and strategic autonomy.
With the U.S. imposing steep tariffs and leading global pressure against Russian energy, New Delhi appears to be choosing a path dictated by national interest over ideological alignment.
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