US presidential election 2024: Merely per week earlier than the US presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump emphasised his dedication to strengthening the “nice partnership” between the US and India.
Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi his “good buddy,” Donald Trump, in a Diwali submit on X, vowed to reinforce ties between the 2 nations underneath his potential administration.
The previous president additionally condemned current violence towards Hindus and different minorities in Bangladesh, the place, as studies point out, a whole lot of Hindus have confronted lethal assaults within the Muslim-majority nation.
Additionally Learn | US elections 2024: What if Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have been Indian politicians? AI has a solution
Donald Trump’s assertion got here at a time when exiled Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina has sought refuge in India after her ouster, including complexity to South Asia’s geopolitical tensions.
Donald Trump’s message to the Indian diaspora within the US comes at a strategic time, reinforcing the shut relationship he and Narendra Modi share. This camaraderie was evident in previous high-profile occasions such because the “Howdy, Modi!” rally in Texas in 2019, the place Trump hosted Modi earlier than an estimated 50,000 individuals, marking one of many largest-ever US gatherings for a international chief.
Additionally Learn | Trump tags an Indian to his pitch for North Carolina voters, his response is hilarious
In 2020, Modi returned the favour, internet hosting Trump in Gujarat on the world’s largest cricket stadium—Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium—the place over 120,000 individuals gathered to welcome the US president.
This rapport is not only symbolic; it displays each leaders’ sturdy nationalist platforms. Modi’s “India First” imaginative and prescient aligns intently with Donald Trump’s “America First” insurance policies, every targeted on home development, financial nationalism, and securing nationwide borders.
Donald Trump’s international coverage, which has persistently emphasised self-interest and strategic partnerships, guarantees to instantly influence India’s financial and defence panorama.
Financial and commerce insurance policies
A Donald Trump-led administration would seemingly prioritise US-centric commerce insurance policies, doubtlessly pressuring India to scale back commerce obstacles or face tariffs. India’s IT, prescription drugs, and textile sectors, which export considerably to the US, may very well be significantly impacted.
Additionally Learn | Elon Musk responds to Indian CEO’s submit on 3-year anticipate inexperienced card: ‘Trump will repair this’
In September, Trump, regardless of criticising India as an “abuser” by way of import tariffs, referred to Modi as a “improbable man”.
Throughout a city corridor in Flint, Michigan, whereas discussing commerce and tariffs, Trump emphasised, “So when India, which is a really huge abuser… These individuals are the sharpest individuals. They’re not a bit bit backwards… You recognize the expression, they’re on the high of their recreation, and so they use it towards us. However India may be very powerful. Brazil may be very powerful…. China is the hardest of all, however we have been caring for China with the tariffs.”
But, Trump’s push to scale back dependency on China by encouraging American firms to maneuver their provide chains elsewhere might work in India’s favour. With beneficial insurance policies, India might entice extra US firms seeking to diversify operations, boosting its financial prospects.
Defence and safety
Donald Trump’s stance on China aligns with India’s considerations, and defence cooperation would seemingly deepen underneath his management. His administration has beforehand strengthened the Quad, a safety partnership between the US, India, Japan, and Australia, to counter Chinese language affect within the Indo-Pacific. Extra joint navy workouts, arms gross sales, and know-how transfers might bolster India’s defence capabilities amid tensions with neighbouring international locations like China and Pakistan.
Immigration and H-1B visa insurance policies
On immigration, Donald Trump’s restrictive insurance policies, significantly concerning the H-1B visa programme, had substantial impacts on Indian professionals within the US. A return to such insurance policies might complicate Indian employees’ entry to American job markets, affecting sectors depending on expert Indian employees, significantly in know-how. Moreover, stricter immigration legal guidelines might immediate Indian tech companies to discover different markets or spend money on creating extra home alternatives.
Geopolitical affect
Donald Trump’s insurance policies in South Asia might additionally have an effect on India’s regional pursuits. Whereas Trump has proven a willingness to work with Pakistan, he has insisted on accountability in counter-terrorism efforts, which could stability his method. Nonetheless, Trump’s “Peace by way of power” mantra might see the US exercising a more durable stance on terrorism and extremism, aligning with India’s safety targets.
