Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton said that he thinks Donald Trump views international relations through the lens of his personal relationships with leaders.

Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton made a big statement on September 4 about the relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He  said that President Donald Trump had a great personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but now it is over. He warned that close ties with the American leader, Donald Trump, will not protect world leaders from the worst of times.

Bolton’s comments come against the backdrop of possibly the worst period in India-US relations in the last two decades, with tensions rising due to Trump’s tariff policy and his administration’s constant criticism of India.

In a recent interview with British media portal LBC, he said, “I think Trump views international relations in terms of his personal relationships with leaders. So if he has a good relationship with (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, America will have a good relationship with Russia. Obviously, that’s not the case.”

Bolton was Trump’s national security adviser during his first term. But he is now a fierce critic of Trump. Bolton said, “Trump had a very good relationship with Modi personally. I think that relationship is over now and that’s a lesson for everyone. For example, for (British Prime Minister) Keir Starmer, a good personal relationship can sometimes be helpful, but it won’t protect you from the worst.”

It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump will be on a visit to the UK from September 17 to 19, 2025. In a post on social media along with his interview with LBC, Bolton said, “The White House has pushed US-India relations back decades, bringing Modi closer to Russia and China. China has presented itself as an alternative to the US and Trump.”