- The global community has witnessed the way the increasingly petulant, impetuous, and unpredictably maverick Donald Trump has gone about disturbing the established world order through his ill-adviced and illogical tariff measures. Apart from the tariff war forced on the global community, Trump’s moves on illegal immigrants, bombastic but false announcements about brokering peace deals, intemperate language-laced statements denouncing some of the most respected countries/leaders, and numerous flip-flops on various matters of importance must have riled concerned stakeholders. India finds itself in the crosshairs of the leader whose unpredictability is becoming legendary. The entire world is aware of how the scenario unfolded.
PC : NDTV
- From being termed as two great nations with the largest democratic credentials to boot, to strategic partners, to natural allies, to now being berated by Trump about India being the fulcrum for the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, suggests how quickly the relationship has slipped. Of course, the recent conciliatory tone and mellowing of Trump’s diatribe towards India must be taken with a grain of salt. Is there a thaw in the offing? Hard to say. Trump can change his mind anytime. But there may just be a glimmer of hope that things are looking up. Trump’s social media post confirming that India and the US are continuing their trade negotiations perked up markets recently. Trump also said he looks forward to speaking with Modi over the coming days.
PC : Hindustan Times
- However, coming on the back of acrimonious statements from White House and MAGA acolytes like Peter Navarro, New Delhi would do well to be cautious. Trump’s mercurial nature – just days ago, he was saying that India and Russia are lost to deepest, darkest China – combined with his need to satiate his tariff-focused MAGA base, means that a deal isn’t done until it’s actually done. India has done well to smartly hold its ground and send some strategic signals to Washington via the SCO summit in Tianjin. It also prudently engaged a lobbyist close to Trump. The cumulative effect of these moves is to impress upon Trump the value of the India-US strategic relationship, which goes beyond trade. Plus, Trump is focused on goods trade, where India has a surplus.
PC : Business Today
- Conversely, he conveniently ignores the services trade where the US enjoys a surplus to the tune of $44bn. Add to this the potential of US defence sales to India, which has been growing since 2007 and is valued at over $24bn. US platforms must be part of the mix as India modernizes its armed forces inventory. Most crucially, if Washington wants to counter Beijing’s growing hegemony in the Indo-Pacific, it needs New Delhi in its corner. And with China and Russia having formed a limitless compact, it strategically suits India to be part of groupings like the Quad. Yes, people-to-people connections and synergies in scientific research, tech, and myriad other fields are unquantifiable, offering mutual benefits. Trump should follow through on his words forthwith.
