Donald Trump wants to be part of India-China-Russia club? All about Core-5 buzz; which countries are on the list

NEW DELHI: Only a few months back, Donald Trump had said that the US had lost India and Russia to the "deepest darkest China". Now, reports indicate he wants the States to join a new grouping with those very countries, and even bring Japan into it. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding this so far.

An idea circulating in Washington this week proposed forming a “Core-5” bloc that would include China and Russia, bringing long-time rivals into the same framework and offering a clear contrast to the G7, Politico reported.


"Nothing around a C5 or C7 was discussed, but there were certainly conversations that the existing bodies like the G-structures or the UN Security Council weren’t fit for purpose given today’s new players," the news outlet quoted a White House official who worked in the previous Trump administration saying.

The report suggested the proposal for this group appeared in a longer, unpublished version of the National Security Strategy, referenced by Defense One, though this version couldn’t be independently confirmed by NatSec Daily. The White House firmly rejected the claim, with spokesperson Anna Kelly stating that no alternate, private, or classified version of the 33-page official strategy exists.

Does it fit Trump's plan?

Though such a plan once seemed unlikely, some observers say it fits Trump’s style.

As the US president, he has often sought deals with rival nations, approving the sale of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to China and sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"This aligns with how we know President Trump to view the world, which is non ideologically, through an affinity for strongmen, and through a propensity of working with other great powers that maintain spheres of influence in their region," Politico quoted former director for European affairs on the National Security Council Torrey Taussig saying.

The buzz comes at after Trump raised the tariff tensions, especially with the three nations — India, China and Russia, over trade disagreements and Ukraine war.

It's not long back when he had posted a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping saying: "Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!"


The tensions seem to be easing out, but with a deadlock, as India and US are making efforts to finalise a bilateral trade deal.

Moreover, PM Modi had a telephonic conversation with Trump on Thursday and the two reviewed "bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments."

"Had very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," PM Modi posted on X.


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