Trump's Bold C5 Gambit: India Joins Elite Power Club with China, Russia?

President Donald Trump is reportedly eyeing a seismic geopolitical shift via a 'Core-5' or C5 forum uniting the US, India, China, Russia, and Japan—five nations with massive populations and power—potentially eclipsing the Europe-led G7. The idea surfaced in a longer draft of the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, shortened before release, proposing regular summits on pressing issues beyond wealth or democracy criteria.​

Grouping Essentials:

Power Focus: Targets 'major powers' for pragmatic talks, starting with Middle East security—Israel-Saudi normalization via Abraham Accords expansion—reflecting Trump's deal-maker style.​

G7 Shake-Up: Bypasses traditional alliances; Trump once pushed reinstating Russia in G7, criticizing its 2014 ouster as fueling Ukraine war.​

India's Seat: Elevates India as equal amid tariff tensions; fits multipolar world strategy, alarming allies over Russia/China inclusion and NATO risks.​

White House denies any secret document, but ex-officials call it 'Trumpian' realism. No confirmation yet.​

Sources: NDTV, India Today, Politico