OREANDA-NEWS  The resurgent Russia—India—China alliance, formed back in the 1990s to counterbalance the United States, is unlikely to last long. This forecast was published by the Economic Times (ET).

The reason for the revival of the old union was Washington's tariff pressure. It turned out to be especially acute for India, which until recently was considered a key partner of the United States. However, now the head of the White House, Donald Trump, has increased tariffs to 50 percent as punishment for purchases of Russian oil. Meanwhile, Beijing, which was initially Washington's main target, is enjoying a temporary respite, and Russia, whose economy has been hurt by sanctions, is looking for partners to improve its international standing.

However, the coalition of the three countries looked impressive only on paper: three countries with huge economies and populations. In practice, it has always been undermined by distrust, primarily between rivals India and China. One of the main stumbling blocks is their long-standing border dispute. Right now, Trump's tariffs are pushing the two countries closer, but according to Jacob Happimon, founder and director of the Council for Strategic and Defense Research, the fundamental contradictions are unlikely to disappear in the near future.