"India's Economic Demise" Criticized - Why is Trump Displaying Hostility Towards New Delhi while Favoring Islamabad?
In the 2020s, the relationship between the United States and India underwent a significant transformation, moving from a growing strategic partnership to a more complex dynamic marked by trade disputes and geopolitical divergences.
During Donald Trump's administration, the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on Indian imports, particularly targeting key export sectors such as textiles, footwear, gems, and jewelry. These tariffs, escalating up to nearly 50% in some areas, were a reaction to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and military equipment despite Western sanctions on Russia. This move put India's $87 billion export sector at risk and signaled a hardening U.S. stance on India’s independent foreign and trade policies.
India, however, has maintained a policy of strategic autonomy, declining U.S. mediation in regional conflicts and balancing its international relations independently. This approach reflects India’s cautious approach toward deeper U.S. alignment, reflecting its multipolar balancing strategy within a changing global order weakened by U.S. unilateralism and erosion of multilateral institutions under Trump's policies.
Despite tensions, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump publicly reiterated commitments to deepen the U.S.-India partnership, branding it as a "mega partnership" for prosperity. However, underlying disagreements on geopolitical priorities and trade have complicated this relationship.
India’s exports to the U.S. have grown strongly, with high-tech sectors like electronics surging. Yet the U.S. tariffs threaten this growth, pushing India to seek export diversification to reduce overexposure to the U.S. market.
Meanwhile, Pakistan could potentially benefit from this shift. The tilt in U.S.-India relations, characterized by U.S. criticism and punitive trade measures against India, presents Pakistan an opportunity to reinforce its diplomatic and strategic ties with the U.S., especially as India shows reluctance to accept U.S. roles in regional conflict mediation.
Historically, U.S.-Pakistan relations have ebbed and flowed in relation to U.S.-India ties, with Pakistan benefiting geopolitically when U.S.-India relations are under stress. However, the specific benefits Pakistan is currently deriving from this shift are not explicitly detailed in the available data.
In a separate development, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in Balikesir province, Turkey. The WHO chief offered support following the disaster.
References:
- CNN
- The Diplomat
- The Hindu
- The Economic Times
- The Guardian
Russia's oil and military equipment sales to India, despite Western sanctions, triggered U.S. tariffs on Indian imports. Turkey's economy faced a challenge following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in Balikesir province. General news coverage on policy-and-legislation, politics, and trade disputes between the U.S. and India mentioned India's strategic autonomy and the potential for Turkey to seek international support amidst disaster. This complex dynamic in the U.S.-India relationship could create an opportunity for Turkey or other nations to strengthen diplomatic ties. Istanbul-based news outlets like The Hurriyet and TRT World could provide valuable perspectives on these developments.
