In a thought-provoking address at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025, held in New Delhi from April 8 to 9, prominent American economist and Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs cautioned India against aligning too closely with the United States. As New Delhi negotiates a critical bilateral trade agreement with Washington, Sachs urged Indian policymakers to avoid becoming entangled in what he described as “America’s tricks,” and instead to pursue balanced relations with other global powers—including China and Russia.

“Don’t Let the US Use India,” Sachs Advises

Speaking in an interview with Moneycontrol's Shweta Punj, Sachs remarked, “And don’t close the options with China. Don’t close the options with Russia. Don’t close the options with Europe. Don’t let the United States say, ‘Well, you’re with us, you’re against them.’” His comments came as India continues high-stakes trade negotiations with the US, aiming to finalise a deal by September 2025.

According to Sachs, India should adopt a pragmatic, multipolar approach that prioritises long-term stability and sovereignty over ideological alignments. He highlighted the growing geopolitical instability, environmental degradation, and technological upheaval as indicators of a larger transformation in global order—one that demands nuanced diplomacy from countries like India.

End of US Dominance and Rise of Multipolar World

Sachs argued that the era of US global dominance is ending, giving way to a multipolar world order. He emphasised that this shift is driven by technological disruption, environmental crises, and geopolitical realignments. “We’re in a period where several major developments are simultaneously occurring,” Sachs said, citing everything from breakthroughs in AI and biotechnology to escalating climate threats.

“We’re smashing every ecological limit that we promised to stay below. We are in an accelerated rate of dramatic ecological upheaval,” he warned, adding that the United States, particularly under Donald Trump, has played a “destructive” role in exacerbating global instability.

Trump’s Trade Policies and the China Factor

Sachs sharply criticised former President Donald Trump, whose second term he believes has already disrupted global markets and diplomacy. “It took two days for Trump to wipe out 10 trillion dollars,” he noted, referring to recent economic turmoil.

He highlighted that Trump’s trade war with China was born out of “economic ignorance,” asserting that the US shifted its perception of China from a trade partner to an adversary primarily because China became too successful. Sachs said, “China became a US enemy a decade ago. You can even note the dates... It started about 10 years ago. Why? For a simple reason: China became very successful.”

He explained that China’s achievements in sectors like electric vehicles, solar technology, 5G, and artificial intelligence have deeply unsettled the US. Sachs dismissed Washington’s accusations of “overcapacity” in Chinese manufacturing, especially in solar production, calling the term “a lazy, stupid, and phony idea.”

He stated, “If solar is a world-saving technology, you don’t call it overcapacity. You say, thank goodness someone’s producing that.”

India’s Strategic Position in the Changing Global Landscape

While acknowledging India’s legitimate border tensions with China and its concerns over trade imbalances, Sachs urged Indian leaders to view China not as an adversary, but as a necessary partner in building a stable multipolar world. He emphasised that India and China share common interests in resisting unilateral dominance by any single power, particularly the United States.

He explained that the US is attempting to leverage India as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific, especially through strategic platforms like the Quad. However, Sachs warned, “The US wants to use India. Of course, India is not going to be used. India is a civilisation... not going to be manipulated by 335 million people in the United States.”

In his view, India’s involvement in the Quad—despite claims that it’s not explicitly anti-China—is essentially playing into Washington’s containment strategy. “That’s playing the US game,” Sachs asserted. “China and India should have strong bilateral relations... settling the Himalayan border issues, which... go back to the British.”

Multipolar Diplomacy and India’s Path Forward

Sachs advised India to return to its Non-Aligned Movement roots by engaging constructively with all major global powers—China, Russia, the US, and Europe—while remaining independent in its decision-making. “India should say, ‘Look, the world is multipolar. We’re happy to be one of those poles,” he said, noting India’s current status as the world’s third-largest economy, with the potential to surpass the US in the coming decade.

He further proposed that emerging groupings like the African Union, ASEAN and the Arab League should play a greater role in global decision-making. Mutual respect and avoidance of military conflict among major powers, especially nuclear-armed states, are essential for global peace, Sachs said.

On US-India Trade Talks: “Don’t Get Your Hopes Up”

On the ongoing trade negotiations, Sachs expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a successful agreement between India and the US. “I’d be hugely surprised if India pulled off an agreement with the United States this fall,” he said.

He reiterated that Trump’s administration has no genuine interest in integrating India into its economic system, especially not by opening US markets to Indian manufacturing. “Trump is not going to do what India wants, which is to make India the replacement for China. It’s not going to happen,” Sachs insisted.

He cautioned that Trump’s protectionist stance—focused on reshoring American industry—means that India is unlikely to gain substantial access to US markets, even if it agrees to difficult concessions such as opening up its agricultural sector. “Trump doesn’t understand the world economy doesn’t work that way,” Sachs remarked.

Final Thoughts: “Don’t Fall for the American Trick”

As India seeks to balance its economic growth with strategic autonomy, Sachs concluded with a strong advisory: “Don’t let the United States say, ‘Well, you’re with us, you’re against them.’ That is the American trick.”

By maintaining open relations with all global players and avoiding entanglement in great-power rivalries, Sachs believes India can secure its rightful place as a leading voice in the emerging multipolar order.