Indo-US relations may gain momentum now
SHALINI PANDEY/Program Head
INTRODUCTION:
After US President Donald Trump returned to power, there is a growing priority for his administration to undo lot of mishandling of foreign policy issues and wrongful actions by the previous Joe Biden Administration against India. No doubt, the vicious atmosphere created by previous Biden Administration in India’s immediate neighborhood could take years to settle. But Trump Administration is showing determination to set things right so that US interests can be better served and policy goals could be achieved in a better way. It is commendable, although it will take some time to reset the button.
ANALYSIS:
This was demonstrated by Trump Administration during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to US. Indeed, Trump was very candid about US priorities right from tariff to Indo-Pacific. It is clear that US policy objectives can be better realized in both short term and long term, if it goes with India.
India’s material success may be inferior to US but its moral standing is far higher than America. India is the most sought after partner for Global South, this is not the same for US. In terms of technology and broader economic framework India might need US more, but in strategic and foreign policy issues in Asian region the US will need India more eloquently. There is a mutual dependence and both can benefit if they cooperate honestly.
Biden’s approach, although overtly a democrat, was quite negative towards India. Perhaps, it bracketed US as the ‘most hated’ country in the world using bunch of jokers with regressive thought. Today, many ordinary Indians on the street think badly about US foreign policy. Right from Afghanistan to Pakistan to Bangladesh to Myanmar, there is chaos everywhere. This is not to say about covert attempts to create instability in India as well.
Traditionally, this used to be the play book of the Republicans. Anyway, all this is history. Sensibly enough, Trump has admitted all the wrong doings of Biden Administration publicly. On the other hand, Trump, a businessman, is demanding access to Indian markets and threatening to punish any move to de-dollarize.
India was never overt about de-dollarization as most of its assets are in USD. India is quite okay about it, although it will have to make some necessary adjustments. That is how diplomacy works as it finds a middle path. Trump’s MAGA and Modi’s Make in India are complimentary in nature, not contradictory. If the honesty and sincerity is maintained both sides can regain the lost confidence and move forward.
This will be a factor of stability, prosperity and growth Since India is a reformist power not a revisionist one, the US should trust India and remove restrictions in many areas of bilateral relations where things were stuck despite having agreement whether it is trade, commerce, foreign policy or military cooperation.
Although Trump may not be able to change US policy goals towards India, or Asia or for the world drastically and so quickly, yet it needs to clarify directions and implementation methodology. India’s contributions to Trump’s MAGA can be immense whereas US investment and cooperation can transform Indian economy and take it to a new level. Thus, Indo-US relations could now move forward.
