India Defies Trump, Welcomes Putin: A Message of Autonomy

• Trump likely viewed Putin's red carpet welcome in India as a "slap in the face" after his administration's pressure on India regarding Russia.
• Trump had imposed tariffs and used strong rhetoric to compel India to distance itself from Russia, but India's welcome for Putin showed it would not bow to this pressure.
• The article suggests Trump's economic pressure backfired, bringing India and Russia closer, potentially undermining America's Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Putin's visit highlighted India's strategic autonomy, demonstrating it acts in its own interest rather than aligning with any specific global power.

Why It Matters: India's Putin welcome defies US pressure, asserting strategic autonomy.