President Trump has not reinvented American policy in his second term, he has instead intensified the strategies he introduced during his first. What was once dismissed as provocative rhetoric has now become a calculated approach, leaving both Europe and India at a crossroads.

On 24 February 2025, the United States aligned with Russia during a United Nations General Assembly vote on the Ukraine conflict. This move signalled a growing rift between the US and its European allies. The vote also demonstrated a decline in global support for Ukraine, with only 93 votes in favour compared to 141 in the previous resolution on 23 February 2023 — reflecting a broader erosion of international consensus.

India’s abstention from the vote underscores its strategic predicament. While New Delhi champions strategic autonomy, its repeated reluctance to take a firm stance on Ukraine raises concerns about its credibility as a global power. By avoiding clear positions, India risks being perceived as indecisive at a time when global alignments are shifting rapidly.

This approach may offer short-term flexibility, but invites long-term questions about India’s reliability as a strategic partner. If China were to escalate border conflicts with India, which major power would step up to support New Delhi? India’s balancing act provides a temporary buffer, given its defence ties with Russia and economic ties with the West, but ambiguity as a default position limits its geopolitical leverage.

Trump’s recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington highlighted the deepening discord between the United States and Europe over Ukraine. Europe favours a security-first approach, whereas Trump prioritises economic interests and quick deals, signalling a shift away from transatlantic unity. By aligning with authoritarian regimes like........

© National Herald