It was a sight to behold. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Tianjin on Monday, laughing, trading smiles, and even holding hands .

Washington surely took note . For over two decades, New Delhi’s foreign policy had shifted toward closer ties with the U.S. and the West, and gradually away from Russia. India had opened up economically to the U.S. and overcame its long-running reservations about deeper defense ties, joining The Quad alliance in 2007, and participating in joint military drills with America. But then came a reportedly tense Modi-Trump phone call in June and 50% tariffs last month , among the highest U.S. levy on any nation.

Putin is scheduled to visit India later this year, and the mood in Delhi is filled wi

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