India: India has expressed confidence in its power to navigate relations with a Trump’s 2nd term, as Donald Trump leads back to office following a current election victory. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar remarked that while many nations are anxious about Trump’s return, India does not share that matter, citing strong tactful ties and mutual respect built over the years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump appreciated a warm relationship during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, despite a tariff dispute that strained trade relations. The Trump administration’s improved tariffs on Indian goods had impacted businesses on both sides and led to retaliatory measures from India. This trade conflict, along with a rise in H-1B visa denials impacting Indian tech workers, introduced challenges to the bilateral relationship. However, Jaishankar communicated optimism, stating there is no reason to doubt that India-US relations can continue to prosper under Trump’s leadership.
Jaishankar emphasised that the U.S. sees India as a key partner in balancing China’s influence in the region, underscoring bipartisan support for India in Washington. As part of this evolving association, Modi was one of the first leaders Trump contacted post-election, a gesture that Jaishankar says movements continued goodwill.
During Trump’s first term, both leaders indicated their camaraderie in grand events such as the “Howdy, Modi!” rally in Texas in 2019, which saw 50,000 attendees, and a large public assemblage in Gujarat in 2020 during Trump’s visit to India. Yet, despite the celebratory atmosphere at these events, tensions over trade persisted, with Trump calling India’s tariffs excessive even as he praised Modi’s leadership.
Analysts predict that settling trade issues will be crucial to strengthening ties between the two countries during Trump’s new term. While Jaishankar recognised shifts in the global balance of power, he emphasised that the United States remains a significant market and innovation hub, which India values as it poises its relationships on the global stage.
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