- People closely following the geopolitical and geostrategic developments in the last few years would have noticed how everything is set to change with the advent of the maverick and highly unpredictable Donald Trump, who is firmly saddled in the most powerful chair in the world as the President of the United States of America. The global community was made to realise right from the campaign stage how the Republican candidature of Donald Trump would pan out. Several measures proclaimed during the campaigning are being implemented at a breakneck speed by the President who appears to be in a hurry to leave behind a definite footprint by 2029. Trump’s fixation with the tariffs has already started an economic war involving several countries.
PC: Los Angeles Times
- His threat of reciprocal tariffs on countries charging high import tariffs on US products is already taking effect across the globe, leading to an impending trade war. Even India is feeling the heat, with Trump announcing reciprocal tariffs against us hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to meet him. For the global community, the rapport between the two leaders is palpable right from Trump’s first tenure as the US President. We know how Modi is a quintessentially smart leader in positioning the country’s interests as well as projecting self-image to the global audience. One such measure was recently unveiled viz. a long podcast with MIT scientist Lex Friedman, talking about many things, including how countries should deal with each other.
PC: India Today
- Note that diplomacy – how leaders talk and make deals without fighting – has become harder lately. Countries argue a lot, and sometimes, they refuse to even talk properly. Examples of this include Russia attacking Ukraine, China causing trouble on India’s border, and the tension between India and Canada. These problems happen when leaders think only about themselves and don’t try to understand others. Modi mentioned placing India first and doing it differently. Rather than fighting back right away, he listens and tries to understand the other side. Modi also said he and Trump connect because they both care about their own countries first. This may sound obvious, but the key is how they handle it.
PC: DNA India
- Of course, good diplomacy means finding a middle ground – what is the least one side will accept, and what is the most the other side can give up? The goal is to find a win-win situation instead of making one side lose. Moreover, some countries take a strict ‘my way or highway approach’. To his credit, PM Modi believes in finding solutions rather than just arguing. No way to be construed as weak but it means he is smart. Remember how PM Modi said – like President Trump, I always put my country first. Little wonder, Trump even liked Modi’s words and shared the podcast on his social media. This shows that their way of talking might help solve big problems between India and the US. Mind you, diplomacy isn’t just about being tough. It’s about being wise as well.
