Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for what he called the ‘gratuitous alienation’ of India, describing it as one of Trump’s major foreign policy missteps. Speaking to NDTV, Abbott outlined a series of actions by the Trump administration that he believes unnecessarily strained relations with New Delhi, a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

Strained Relations and Key Issues

Abbott, who served as Australia’s prime minister from 2009 to 2013, said the U.S. administration’s approach to India created ‘avoidable friction’ through a combination of trade policies, diplomatic statements, and high-profile meetings with Pakistan.

‘I am not a universal admirer of the Trumpian foreign policy,’ Abbott said. ‘One of the biggest mistakes that President Trump has made up till now has been gratuitously alienating India.’

Abbott cited three specific actions that he believes contributed to the deterioration of U.S.-India relations: the imposition of punitive trade tariffs on Indian goods, Trump’s claims about mediating between India and Pakistan, and the decision to host Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Asim Munir, at the White House.

The meeting with Munir, Abbott noted, was particularly problematic due to Pakistan’s long-standing accusations of supporting cross-border terrorism against India. ‘Pakistan undoubtedly has sponsored terrorism against India and has been doing so intermittently for a long time,’ Abbott said.

Trade Tensions and Partial Reset

Tensions between the U.S. and India had already been high due to trade disputes earlier in Trump’s presidency. The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on several Indian products, with an additional 25% levy linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, a move framed as pressure to reduce reliance on Russian energy.

However, relations began to ease in February when Trump announced a new trade agreement with India. Under the deal, the U.S. reduced tariffs on many Indian goods after India reportedly signaled a willingness to scale back oil purchases from Moscow, a move Trump presented as evidence of his ‘strong personal rapport’ with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he has frequently called ‘one of my greatest friends.’

Analysis on Middle East Conflict

Abbott also weighed in on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel, stating it was too early to predict whether the fighting would lead to regime change in Tehran. ‘We can’t say for sure whether there will be a regime change,’ he said, cautioning that the Iranian leadership still retains significant support within parts of the population.

He added that the conflict has severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities and nuclear program. According to Abbott, the most likely outcome is an Iranian regime that survives but with far less ability to project power abroad. ‘The worst outcome that we could have from this is a defanged Islamist theocracy,’ he said.

Abbott noted that the intensity of the conflict appears to be shifting, with Iranian attacks decreasing in frequency while American and Israeli strikes have intensified, largely targeting regime facilities rather than civilian infrastructure.

Despite these assessments, the conflict remains volatile. In the hours following Abbott’s remarks, Iran reportedly launched fresh missiles and drones toward Israel and several Gulf countries hosting American military bases. Explosions were heard in Israel as its air defense systems intercepted incoming projectiles, while Gulf states, including the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, reported attacks linked to the widening regional confrontation.

Abbott’s comments highlight the complex geopolitical landscape Washington faces, balancing crises in the Middle East while maintaining strategic partnerships in Asia, particularly with India, which many Western allies view as central to the Indo-Pacific security architecture.