India, Aug. 29 -- US President Donald Trump's tariff of 50% on Indian exports - 25% duties plus 25% punitive duties for buying oil from Russia - has come into effect and will seriously impact textiles, jewellery, and a few other major sectors. To add insult to injury, an army of Trump administration officials has been maligning India over its purchases of Russian oil, underscoring little willingness to negotiate on the part of the US.

Many in India see Trump's actions as a betrayal by someone who had been befriended by our leadership. They are now urging a shift towards Russia, Brazil, and even China. But is it correct to see India's renewed efforts on deepening these ties as a rebound from the lost friendship with the US ? Isn't strateg...