(Dr Pentapati Pullarao)
Donald Trump’s election has created great expectations in India. In Trump’s first phone call to Modi, he said: The whole world loves Modi “. This Trump statement has set off a media storm across the world. It is obvious that Donald trump has a special place for Modi and India. But one has to be careful of “great expectations “Usually, we are disappointed when we expect too much. Therefore, India should expect the minimum from Trump and be happy if Trump exceeds it.
One thing is clear. Definitely, Trump will be better for India then Democratic presidents Bill Clinton, Barrack Obama and even Joe Biden and his vice President Kamala Harris. Just remember that in the last month, India has been harassed by a small country Canada. Daily, the USA-spokespersons make sympathetic noises for Canada. But now that Trump has won, that game of Democratic Presidents will stop.
If Kamala Harris had been elected President, Indians would claim she is India’s daughter. But look at her record. Kamala Harris has not visited India for 40 years. Kamala was the only Senator out of 100 in 2019 to attack India for removing Article 370 in Kashmir. Kamala never showed any sympathy for Indian interests, nor did she stop attacks from her Democratic party. From her record, kamala Harris is harmful to India.
Donald Trump is a man of strong likes and dislikes, who is very un-predictable and talks easily without thinking. Narendra Modi and Indian diplomats have learned to navigate trump’s moods.
Minimum to expect from Trump:
Trump need not help India. If Trump continues his punitive action against China and ignores Pakistan, it will be enough.
- Trump took severe action against China in his first term to reduce its economic strength. The economic depression in China commenced due to Trump’s actions. This weakened China and affected its aggressiveness. American companies left China, and many set up factories in India. Apple company set up 3 factories in India, employing lakhs.
- Trump also confronted China militarily. Trump made agreements with India, Australia, Japan, Korea and other countries against China. In fact, China agreed for border agreements with India, partially because it faces pressure from USA. Since 1972, Trump was first US President to confront China.
- Trump also sidelined Pakistan. Trump said Pakistan took billions of dollars from USA and yet hid Osama bin Laden. Trump stopped military aid to Pakistan and also warned against terrorism.
- Trump also demanded that European nations confront China. Now China faces hostility from Europe and USA.
- Trump will also not play games to encourage Bangladesh, Nepal or other countries to attack India. Trump will also clamp down on threats from Khalistan is based in USA, unlike Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Trump will also signal Canada that it should stop trying to harass India through Khalistan.
Possible negatives:
- Indians may expect too much liberality on visas and immigration. They might be disappointed. But Trump promised that he will be generous to Indians, who are the core of US software and tech companies.
- Trump may demand that India buy more goods from USA to reduce the trade deficit with USA. That can be done easily by buying oil from USA.
- There will be minor issues that Trump will suddenly raise. Such issues can be answered easily and anyway Trump forgets after a few days.
Never forget as former British Prime Minister Lord Palmerstone said 220 years ago: “Nations have no permanent friends or enemies. Only permanent interests. That statement is true today. If Trump does the minimum, it is great for India.
Trump needs constant praise and assurance. Many Middle East Kings and dictators flattered Trump immensely and he became their friends. But Indians are even better than any other people int eh world in flattery and massaging egos.
- Even enemies like the British and Mughals succumbed to Indian flattery hundreds of years ago. Our leaders are big fila letters. The Mughal swords and British guns crumbled before Indian flattery and obsequiousness.
- Narendra Modi invited the Trump family to India on February 24 and 25th for 2 days, the trump family enjoyed hospitality and attention like they never did anywhere in the world. A gigantic public meeting was held in Ahmedabad to praise trump and his family. The trumps were overwhelmed.
- The US national security Adviser Robert Odonnell wrote in Losangels Times that during their visit to India, the trumps and his entourage enjoyed attention, love and respect like they never did anywhere in the world. Trump never forgot his visit to India and praised Indians everywhere.
- The secret weapon of Idnanis is flattery and obsequiousness. If Modi can continue our Indian traditions, Trump will be happy. Of course, Prime minister Modi knows it. east Countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and others have become experts at elapsing trump and they enjoy total power. India also can do that.
(Author is a political and economic analyst based in New Delhi)
