Published on: October 17, 2025 | 7:00 PM IST

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sharply criticized United States President Donald Trump’s decision to impose heavy tariffs on Indian goods, describing the move as a “misplayed hand” that risks undermining one of Washington’s most strategically valuable partnerships. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit on Friday, Abbott—who has often been regarded as a supporter of Trump and a staunch advocate of closer cooperation among democratic nations—argued that the punitive tariffs represent a short-sighted policy mistake that could temporarily strain but not permanently damage the resilient relationship between India and the United States.

“I am a supporter of President Trump, but I think he misplayed his hand with India recently when he imposed those punitive tariffs, particularly given there are other countries that are cheating here, especially China, that didn’t get the same kind of treatment,” Abbott said during his remarks. The former Australian leader’s candid criticism underscored growing international concern about the consequences of the Trump administration’s aggressive trade measures against one of America’s key democratic allies in Asia.

According to Abbott, the imposition of tariffs is a serious setback for New Delhi, both economically and symbolically, as it comes at a time when India has emerged as a major player in the global economy and a critical partner in counterbalancing China’s rise. However, he emphasized that the setback is likely to be temporary, given the deep alignment of interests, values, and geopolitical objectives shared by India and the Western democracies. “I think this is a serious setback,” Abbott reiterated. “But given the fundamental community of interest and values that India does have with the democracies, I think it will only be a temporary setback. Let’s hope that this can be remedied very quickly.”

The United States recently announced a sweeping 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, including a specific 25 percent penalty targeting Indian imports linked to Russian energy purchases. The White House justified these tariffs on the grounds that India’s continued trade in Russian oil indirectly funds Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine. The move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to pressure countries maintaining commercial ties with Russia to cut back on such transactions.

India, however, has rejected Washington’s rationale, maintaining that its purchases of Russian oil are guided purely by market dynamics and national energy security considerations. Officials in New Delhi have repeatedly argued that India’s energy imports are not driven by political alignment but by the pragmatic necessity of ensuring affordable energy supplies for its vast population. The Indian government has also emphasized that it will continue to act in accordance with its national interests, balancing global expectations with domestic economic needs.

The tariff dispute comes amid renewed friction between Washington and New Delhi after President Trump claimed earlier this week that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would soon stop purchasing Russian oil. The Indian government swiftly denied any such assurance or conversation, calling Trump’s statement “factually incorrect” and reiterating that India’s foreign policy decisions are independent and guided by its own strategic imperatives. This latest episode has further complicated the diplomatic atmosphere, even as both sides insist that their overall partnership remains strong and forward-looking.

Abbott’s remarks at the NDTV World Summit not only criticized the tariff policy but also delved into the historical and strategic dimensions of US-India relations. He warned that Washington’s decision to impose such trade barriers on India could undermine long-term trust between two democracies that have steadily expanded cooperation across defense, technology, and security sectors over the past decade. He also drew attention to what he described as a recurring flaw in American foreign policy—its historical tendency to align with authoritarian regimes at the expense of democratic allies.

“One of the big mistakes that America made during the Cold War was consistently tilting towards Pakistan, a military dictatorship, as opposed to India, a liberal democracy,” Abbott noted. His comments reflected a broader critique that the United States, in its strategic calculus during the Cold War and the subsequent war on terror, often prioritized short-term military convenience over long-term democratic alignment. Abbott emphasized that such a miscalculation should not be repeated at a time when India stands as a key pillar in the global democratic order and a major counterweight to China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Abbott also highlighted that the US’s relationship with Pakistan has often proven counterproductive, both in terms of regional stability and the promotion of democratic governance. He argued that America’s “core interests are far better served by maintaining a strong and enduring friendship with India rather than Pakistan,” noting that India’s democratic system, stable governance, and shared strategic interests with the West make it an indispensable partner.

The imposition of tariffs, therefore, comes at an especially delicate time. Both India and the United States have been working to deepen their strategic cooperation through forums such as the Quad, which also includes Japan and Australia, to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Trade and economic collaboration are essential pillars of this relationship, and punitive measures such as tariffs risk undermining the trust and goodwill that have taken years to build.

Experts have pointed out that Trump’s protectionist approach, while aimed at securing domestic political points ahead of the US elections, could backfire by alienating allies whose cooperation is vital for Washington’s broader geopolitical ambitions. For India, the tariffs add to a series of recent irritants in the relationship, including disagreements over technology transfers, defense procurement conditions, and data localization rules. Despite these issues, New Delhi has consistently emphasized its commitment to maintaining a constructive and balanced partnership with Washington.

Abbott’s comments have resonated strongly with analysts who view the India-US relationship as central to the future of global geopolitics. India’s growing economic weight, its robust democracy, and its strategic location make it a natural ally for Western powers seeking to maintain stability in Asia. The former Australian prime minister’s criticism suggests that many policymakers within the democratic world view the current friction as unnecessary and counterproductive. Abbott urged both sides to approach the dispute with pragmatism and mutual respect, emphasizing dialogue and cooperation over unilateral action.

As tensions over trade persist, observers believe that the fundamentals of the US-India relationship remain solid. Both countries share a convergence of strategic interests—ranging from maritime security to technology innovation and counterterrorism—that go far beyond any single economic disagreement. The challenge for policymakers, as Abbott’s remarks imply, lies in ensuring that short-term political decisions do not erode the trust necessary for long-term collaboration.

Ultimately, Tony Abbott’s critique underscores a critical lesson for the United States: that democratic solidarity should take precedence over punitive economic nationalism. By imposing tariffs on India, Washington risks alienating a key ally whose cooperation is essential not only for balancing China’s influence but also for sustaining the broader democratic order in the Indo-Pacific. Abbott’s call for restraint and recalibration serves as a timely reminder that while disagreements are inevitable in international relations, enduring partnerships are built on shared values, mutual respect, and strategic foresight.

In conclusion, Abbott expressed optimism that the United States would soon correct its course, recognizing the indispensable value of its relationship with India. He reiterated his belief that the tariffs represent only a temporary obstacle in a long-term partnership that remains rooted in common values and mutual interests. His remarks reflect a growing international consensus that India’s rise as a democratic power should be embraced, not hindered, by its allies.