Why Trump’s Anger Can’t Bend India

The relationship between India and the US is deteriorating. If this trend is not reversed soon, it could reach an irreparable state, and by the time Trump exits the White House, there might be nothing left of these ties. A new 25% tariff, totaling 50%, has been imposed on India's oil purchases from Russia, while China, which buys more, faces a 30% tariff. Setting aside diplomatic niceties, not only Trump but also many of his advisors are criticizing us daily. An alleged advisor, Peter Navarro, claims that the conflict in Ukraine is 'Modi's war' and further stated that 'Brahmins in India are profiting by purchasing oil from Russia.' How did Brahmins become part of the India-US issue? It's unclear what influences this man's statements! Trump himself is also veering off course.

He has called India a 'dead economy' while we have shown 7.8% growth in the first quarter. This too at a time when the sword of tariff was hanging over us. During the recent successful visit of Prime Minister Modi to Japan, Japan has doubled its investment target in India to 68 billion dollars. By doing so, Japan has shown its faith in our economy but Trump is angry and very angry, angry to the extent of madness. Claiming to stop the war between India and Pakistan, Trump also said, "I spoke to Prime Minister Modi. I told him that you have 24 hours. If you keep fighting, we will not do business or anything with you. After this, we will impose such high tariffs that you will lose your mind". Is this the language of a mentally healthy head of state? Can the Prime Minister of a strategic partner country be threatened that 'you will lose your mind'?

Trump is not worried about Russian oil. In Alaska, he welcomed Russian President Putin with a red carpet. We have a different problem. We refused to massage his ego. The whole of Europe, Japan, Korea all bowed down to him. Only India and Brazil were adamant. India refused to give him the credit for the ceasefire with Pakistan, which annoyed Trump. Our former ambassador to America, Meera Shankar, has described the deteriorating relations with America as Trump's 'personal annoyance'. The same words have been used by the American financial service company Jefferies too. According to them, the reason for Trump's annoyance is that India did not allow him to mediate in the conflict with Pakistan. The New York Times has reported, “President Trump repeatedly claimed that he had ‘solved’ the war… In a telephone conversation with Narendra Modi on June 17, Trump again raised the point that he was proud that he had stopped the war… He also told that Pakistan was going to nominate him for the Nobel Prize… In a way, he meant that Modi should do the same”.

In that 35-minute bitter call, Modi made it clear that during the entire incident, neither was there any talk on the India-US trade deal at any level, nor did the US offer any mediation. This also contains the answer to why Donald Trump gets angry? Just like a child insists on chocolate, the US President is repeatedly calling himself a true contender for the Nobel. If we had reached an agreement on oil, then the demand would have been that we should stop taking weapons from Russia because ‘Russia is running the war in Ukraine with this money’. There could also have been a demand that we leave BRICS and stop trading with other countries in any currency other than the dollar.

If we had caved in, we would have kept on caved in. Countries like the EU and Japan have made concessions, but we have made it clear that sectors like agriculture, dairy and small industries are not open to anyone. Former British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith rightly says, “There is no evidence that Donald Trump has a coherent demand…or any path to compromise”. The reason for this is that the issue is not so much about trade as it is about the ego of the US President. It is difficult for him to believe that India is not ready to bow down. Trump has boasted about Mexico that ‘they do what we say’. India is not Mexico. We understand the importance of good relations with the US, but we are not ready to take instructions. We are not ready to remove one imperialist power and impose another on us. Some sectors will definitely be affected by the additional tariffs of the US, but our economy is not dependent on exports. Nearly 90% of Vietnam's economy is dependent on exports, while it is only 21-22% of India's economy. US President Trump wanted to give the impression to his followers that the world's great leaders are bowing down before him. Just like earlier offerings were made to the king, Trump wants everyone to salute him in the White House. But despite tremendous pressure, Putin did not budge an inch on the Ukraine war. When China also glared at him, Trump backed off. All the anger is being vented out on us which has backfired. We saw a similar situation during the Bangladesh war when Indira Gandhi refused to bow down to Nixon. In 1998, during the nuclear test, America had imposed sanctions, but India tolerated it. Prime Minister Modi is now following the same policy. We have told Trump that we are not ready to dance to your tune. An analyst on CNN has said, "America has lost India. The result will be very bad".

Meanwhile, leaders of 20 countries were present at the SCO meeting in Tianjin city of China. China is trying to present itself as an alternative leader in the world. America's stupidity has made China an even bigger power. Modi's visit to China just four months after the Pahalgam attack is unusual. Xi Jinping did say that 'we are partners, not adversaries', but hardly anyone in India will believe him. Prime Minister Modi described cross-border terrorism and the declaration condemned the Pahalgam attack. This is our diplomatic victory because till now China was shying away from mentioning Pahalgam. The big message from this conference is that the world order is being shaken. The process has already begun, but it has gained momentum due to Trump's strange policies. Due to his policies, India and China are coming closer. But there is no warmth. It is difficult to forget the Galwan clash, but diplomacy cannot stay at one place. It has to change with time. India has also told that it also has options. We have also refused to stop taking oil from Russia.

The impact of India's policy is beginning to be seen. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is a key member of Trump's growling team, changed his tune a few minutes before the Modi-Putin talks and said that the relationship between India and America is 'reaching new heights' and this relationship will define the 21st century. After sending our people back to chains, Rubio has spoken of "the everlasting friendship between our two peoples". US Finance Minister Scott Bessant has said that "India's values ​​match ours more than China's". Why is this being understood now? There are two camps in the world, America-West on one side and China-Russia on the other. The side which India goes to will have the upper hand. That is why the damage done to the relationship by baseless statements is being compensated. But India's history is that we are above campism. We are not leaving America, nor can we leave it. We have a strong relationship with them at many levels. Defence relations are strong, it is our biggest export market and those who are talking about the tango of the dragon and the elephant today should understand that at least America has not sat on our border. It is unfortunate that at this delicate time, the reins of America are in the hands of an unstable man like Trump, that is why it was necessary to send this message that we are not Mexico or Pakistan. We will not be subservient to anyone. There is no question of going to China's camp. The old friendship with Russia will continue. But the recent developments have definitely shown that due to Trump's strange policies and actions, America's power and influence is rapidly declining.