China’s President Xi Jinping reached out to India for support in countering the economic policies of former US President Donald Trump. In March 2025, Jinping sent a confidential letter to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, the contents of which have recently come to light. Bloomberg reported on the letter five months later, revealing Jinping’s strategy to combat the US in the ongoing trade war and seeking India’s collaboration.
According to Bloomberg, the secret letter from Jinping to President Murmu in March 2025 outlined a detailed plan on how to navigate Trump’s tariffs. Jinping also expressed a desire to improve the relationship between the two nations.
The letter mentioned a key individual who Jinping believed could play a significant role in the agreement, but the identity of this person was not disclosed by Bloomberg.
As reported by Bloomberg, with insights from Indian diplomats, China was engaged in a tariff dispute with the US. Jinping sought to avoid a weakened position and therefore contacted India directly. He sought to keep the matter highly confidential, viewing the US trade agreements as harmful to China’s interests. The tariffs between China and the US had escalated to 250 percent.
The report highlights that India did not formally respond to Jinping’s secret letter until June 2025, maintaining a period of silence. India’s response came after the trade war concluded, coinciding with China’s efforts to improve relations.
This diplomatic engagement included visits by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval to China, while China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi.
International analysts noted that Trump’s actions led to a shift in relations. Trump’s initial error involved claims about the India-Pakistan ceasefire, which India found objectionable. Subsequently, Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on India, further damaging the relationship.
The report indicates that the US lost a long-standing ally in South Asia due to Trump’s errors. This led to the initiation of diplomatic talks between India and China, with both nations now exploring opportunities for trade cooperation.