South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman has criticised US President Donald Trump’s address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), calling it “extremely undiplomatic” and a sign that no reset has yet occurred in India-US relations.
In remarks to ANI on Wednesday, Kugelman said Trump’s accusations that India is helping fund Russia’s war in Ukraine were particularly striking—especially coming just days after a cordial phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which Trump wished him on his 75th birthday and called him a “friend.”
“It was extremely undiplomatic, at times rambling, and didn’t appear to make much sense. But what stood out was his decision to once again blame India for sponsoring Russia’s war in Ukraine. This comes not long after his brief phone call with Prime Minister Modi. To me, that shows there has been no reset in US-India ties,” Kugelman observed.
During his UNGA address on Tuesday, Trump alleged that “China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil.” His comments came amid ongoing tensions, worsened by Washington’s recent move to impose additional 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, raising the total to 50 per cent.
Kugelman also weighed in on Western recognition of Palestine, urging restraint in overinterpreting the move. “What we’re seeing is a reaction by some countries in the West to do something Israel’s rivals have long wished for. I wouldn’t overstate its significance,” he said.
France, the UK, Canada, Portugal, and Australia recently recognised Palestinian statehood, a decision Trump blasted as a “reward to Hamas.”
On the Russia-Ukraine war, Kugelman noted the lack of diplomatic progress. While Trump has made mediation a foreign policy goal, Kugelman remained sceptical about Moscow’s willingness to compromise. “Trump wants to broker peace or at least a ceasefire. But I really don’t think Russia has any intention of stopping fighting anytime soon,” he said.
The UNGA’s high-level debate, which began Tuesday, has been dominated by discussions on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, alongside growing momentum in the West for recognising Palestine. This year’s theme is “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.”
