WASHINGTON: US president Donald Trump on Friday suggested that India and Russia had drifted into China’s orbit after their leaders attended a summit hosted by President Xi Jinping, underscoring his rift with New Delhi and Moscow amid Beijing’s push for a new world order.

“Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, alongside a photograph of Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi together at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

The gathering in the Chinese port city of Tianjin drew more than 20 leaders from non-Western states, where Beijing sought to showcase its growing global clout.

Silence from New Delhi, Moscow, Beijing

When asked about Mr Trump’s remarks, the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson in New Delhi declined comment. Representatives for Beijing and Moscow were also not immediately available for reaction.

At the summit, Mr Putin and Mr Modi were seen walking hand in hand toward Xi before the three leaders stood together in a symbolic show of unity.

Strained US-India ties under Trump

Mr Modi’s participation came against the backdrop of a cooling in India’s ties with Washington during Mr Trump’s presidency, amid trade frictions and policy disputes.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump said he was “very disappointed” with Mr Putin but not alarmed by strengthening Russia-China relations. His latest post, however, appeared to widen the circle of estrangement to include India, traditionally seen as a close US partner in balancing Beijing’s influence.