Link to article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czr71780nmpo
Last week’s re-election of former President Donald Trump sent shockwaves throughout the world, but on Sunday, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar stated that India was not nervous for upcoming foreign relations with the US. During Trump’s first term in office, India and American relations were cordial, and in fact have remained friendly for both Democratic and Republican presidents for years, as American leaders have long seen India as an economic counterbalance to China. However, during the last Trump presidency, India and the US fought a bitter economic war over tariffs, including the ending of preferential trade status for India which resulted in setbacks in relations for each other. India views themselves as a new economic power, specifically in their technological innovations and market strength, and though they believe that long lasting industrial powers still have a role in the world economy, Eastern states like India and China will now be taking a much more primary position.
I think that this article is important because it demonstrates a shift that is occurring in the international system as Eastern states such as China and India are playing a very large role in the global economy as they grow increasingly technologically advanced and industrialized. However, America’s view of India as the economic counterweight to the power of China creates an interesting situation: America must maintain positive relations with India and support their economy, and therefore end the tariff war to benefit India’s domestic and global economy. Moreover, India has repeatedly proven to be a very neutral country in terms of global conflicts, as seen in their stance during the Russo-Ukrainian War, for the purpose of maintaining trade relations between as many countries as possible.
I think that India will continue to pursue cordial relations with the United States in order to maintain diplomacy as a turbulent international system comes to a head with the reelection of President Trump. As many countries are intimidated by President Trump’s foreign policies, India’s proclamation to work productively with the United States demonstrates positive relations between an East Asian power and the West. The US on the other hand needs to prove to India and other states in East/South Asia that they will work to establish powerful and stable economic relations for the mutual benefit of all states involved.
In class, we have been discussing sub-theories of realism as well as the role of national interest in terms of alliances. I think that currently both India and the United States are exhibiting traits of defensive realism. Both states are pursuing global diplomacy in order to increase their own personal security in their own national interest. However, India and the US share two common interests that benefit both of their goals and therefore prompt the current alliance and cordial relations: combating the growing economic power of China and increasing the influence of their own trade relations. Yet, I don’t expect the intense battle over tariffs between the countries to stop yet. I think a second Trump presidency will focus the American economy on domestic production of goods, which will continue the current condition of tariffs.