Rubin also accused the US of hypocrisy for criticising India over its purchase of discounted Russian oil, despite Washington maintaining its own trade links with Moscow
Washington: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to New Delhi has prompted sharp criticism of Washington from former Pentagon official Michael Rubin, who claimed the trip is widely viewed in the United States as a consequence of what he described as President Donald Trump’s “gross incompetence”.
Speaking to ANI, Rubin argued that public opinion in the US is split along political lines. “If you’re Donald Trump, it’s being seen through the lens of ‘I told you so’ — that this embrace if India towards Russia is affirming what Donald Trump wants his spin to be. Because Donald Trump isn’t going to admit he is at fault,” he said. “If you’re among the 65 per cent of Americans who dislike Donald Trump, according to the recent polls, then what we are seeing now is the result of Donald Trump’s gross incompetence.”
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Rubin also accused the US of hypocrisy for criticising India over its purchase of discounted Russian oil, despite Washington maintaining its own trade links with Moscow. He said India was right to prioritise its energy security as it moves towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
“What Americans don’t understand is that Indians elected Prime Minister Modi to represent Indian interests,” he said. “India is soon going to become the world’s third largest economy, and for that, it needs energy. The US is being hypocritical because we purchase from Russia...if we don’t want India to buy Russian fuel, what are we doing to provide fuel to India at a cheaper price and in the quantities India needs? If we don’t have an answer, our best approach is simply to shut up.”
Rubin went further, alleging that many Americans are “flabbergasted” by what he called Trump’s reversal of progress in US-India relations, speculating, without presenting evidence, about possible influences on the president. “Many people question what motivates Donald Trump,” he said. “Perhaps it was the flattery of the Pakistanis. More likely, it was bribery by Pakistan or their backers in Turkey and Qatar...This is one disastrous bribe that will saddle America with a strategic deficit for decades to come.”
Putin vows ‘uninterrupted’ fuel supply
His remarks followed Putin’s assertion in New Delhi that Russia stands ready to continue “uninterrupted shipments of fuel” to support India’s fast-growing economy. “Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas and coal” for India’s development, Putin said during a joint press address with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Putin concluded his visit on Friday night, with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar accompanying him to the airport. The Russian leader co-hosted the India–Russia Annual Summit, where both sides agreed to strengthen transport connectivity and raise the bilateral economic partnership to “new heights” by 2030.
ANI
Published: 06 Dec 2025, 09:16 am IST
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