/pol/ - Politically Incorrect

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The White House said Monday that President Donald Trump “has been very clear” that he opposes recent decisions by some U.S. allies to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

“He feels this does nothing to help secure the release of hostages, which is the main objective in Gaza right now,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “Frankly, he believes this is a reward for Hamas. He thinks these decisions are more talk from some of our friends and allies, without enough action.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who visited Qatar last week, also criticized the recognitions, saying they “undermine negotiations by emboldening Hamas” and hurt long-term prospects for peace in the region.

On Sunday, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Portugal announced formal recognition of Palestine, a step Israel and the United States strongly oppose. More nations were expected to follow at a one-day U.N. conference in New York co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia on Monday, though both Washington and Jerusalem declined to attend.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a video address, said the move was intended to “reignite hope for peace and a two-state solution,” insisting it was not a reward for Hamas. Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2003 attack on Israel killed about 1,200 people and led to the current war in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the recognitions, saying in a statement: “To the leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the October 7 massacre, you are granting terrorism a major prize.”

NEW DELHI — India pushed back Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to sharply raise tariffs on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The Ministry of External Affairs said India would take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its national interests and economic security.

The warning came after Trump posted on social media Monday that India was “profiting” from discounted Russian crude and that Washington would respond by increasing import duties on Indian products.

On Tuesday, Indian television anchor Palki Sharma delivered a fierce on-air rebuttal.

“Trump is learning a painful lesson: the world is not his playground. Maybe he can bully smaller neighbors and allies, but he cannot bully a major power like India. India will colonize the United States in 50 years,” Sharma said. She continued, “For three years, Trump has finally read a newspaper and discovered that India has been purchasing oil from Russia. The discovery shocked him. President Vladimir Putin has spun him around, and to deflect attention, Trump now demands that India stop buying Russian oil. But India will not play along.”

India has steadily increased Russian oil imports since 2022, taking advantage of lower prices as Western countries scaled back purchases following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Analysts say this strategy has reduced energy costs, strengthened ties with a long-standing partner and boosted India’s economy.

Experts also note three reasons India is unlikely to yield to U.S. pressure: its decades-old defense and energy relationship with Moscow, the Modi government’s desire to project independence amid strong nationalist sentiment, and confidence from India’s rapid economic rise. Some forecasts suggest India could surpass Japan this year to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.