Trump's Trade War is leading to Sino-Indo Friendship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the SCO summit in Bishkek has raised eyebrows in global capitals. For many, this looked like a routine diplomatic gathering. But Martin Wolf, Chief Economic Commentator at the Financial Times, believes it could signal something bigger: the early signs of India and China exploring a new kind of relationship.

“A very, very big question”

Wolf is cautious but clear about the possibilities. “I think that’s a very, very big question and at this stage I don’t think we know the answer. But it could be the beginning of a major reset. These are very early days. The powers involved, particularly India and China, have a great deal of history and a great deal of suspicion,” he told CNN-News18.

For decades, India and China have distrusted each other—over their border disputes, their role in Asia, and their growing ambitions. But Wolf points out that something unusual is happening: both countries are reacting to the same problem—the unpredictable behaviour of US President Donald Trump.

“Crazy and unreliable”

Under Modi, India’s relationship with the US was expected to be one of the strongest in the world. Wolf admits he assumed the same. “It was a huge shock to me. I really assumed that relations between India and US under Modi and Trump will be good. I assumed that Americans regarded relations with India as among the most important in the world.”

But instead, Trump’s policies—particularly his sweeping tariffs—have unsettled New Delhi. Wolf doesn’t mince words about the effect: “Trump’s behaviour towards India and his behaviour broadly towards the world has created anxiety, anger and doubt about the future. Inevitably, any major player will like to find alternative ways of organizing their lives when they find that one of the players has become so crazy and unreliable.”

A practical partnership, not friendship

Does this mean India and China will suddenly become close allies? Wolf doesn’t think so. “How closely they can cooperate? We don’t know,” he says. What he does suggest is a more limited but useful relationship. “This doesn’t mean India and China will have a warm relationship. It might [be] a practical relationship where opportunities will be explored for trade and cooperation and to deal with US, which is [a] threat to both of them.”

In other words, India and China may never trust each other fully—but they might find it useful to work together when faced with what Wolf calls an “economic warfare” by the US.

What it means for India

For India, the choice is not simple. On one hand, the US remains its most important defence and security partner. On the other, Trump’s unpredictability forces India to keep other doors open. A working relationship with China, even if limited, gives India more space to manoeuvre on the global stage.

The old saying goes: “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Wolf believes this idea could now shape India-China ties. Whether it lasts or not, one thing is clear—Trump’s actions have shaken the old world order, and India is exploring new options.