Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned economist and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, has recently cautioned India against aligning too closely with the United States, particularly concerning Washington's approach to China. Speaking at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Sachs advised India to be wary of what he termed an "American friendship," drawing on historical examples where such alliances have proven detrimental to other nations.
Sachs argued that the U.S. seeks to utilize India as a strategic tool to counter China's growing influence. He urged India to avoid being drawn into this "American game," emphasizing that India is "too big for a US game" and should instead chart its own independent foreign policy course. He suggested that the U.S. has a history of using countries tactically, citing the earlier example of China being used against Russia, only to be turned on when it became too successful. He predicted a similar scenario could unfold with India.
He acknowledged the existing disputes between India and China but advocated for resolving these issues bilaterally, emphasizing that cooperation between the two nations, representing 40% of the world's population, could contribute to a more stable and balanced global order. He has, in fact, urged China to welcome India into the permanency at the security council for the good of the world.
Sachs also touched upon the potential for future resentment from the U.S. towards India as its economy continues to grow. He suggested that the U.S. harbors animosity towards China for surpassing it economically and that a similar sentiment may arise as India's economic stature increases.
Furthermore, Sachs has been a vocal critic of former U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies, describing them as "delusional" and economically damaging. He estimated a significant loss in global wealth due to these strategies and pointed out that automation, rather than trade, is the primary driver of manufacturing job losses. He has also criticized Trump's approach to foreign policy, particularly his administration's stance on international agreements and its tendency towards unilateral actions. He stated that Trump's actions have disrupted the world trade system, and the instability of policy means there is no telling how the policy is going to land. Sachs has gone so far as to say that the U.S. is moving towards authoritarianism and "one-man rule by emergency decree".
In light of these concerns, Sachs has advised India to exercise caution in its relationship with the U.S., maintaining strategic independence and prioritizing its own interests in a multipolar world. He believes that India is large enough to avoid alliances. He also lauded India's Supreme Court and its activism. Sachs's warnings come at a time when India is increasingly seen as a key player in global geopolitics and is being courted by various powers.
