After a series of ups and downs in the Trump Modi relations, we witnessed another harangue from him in his UN general assembly speech.
He repeated his claim of stopping operation sindoor once again and blamed India and China of funding the Ukraine war by buying Russian oil. He also criticized the UN as being ineffective in securing peace, which he claimed to have done much more by ending 7 wars in his 7 months long term.
While he spoke on his usual stance on migration into the west, climate change being a farce and Europe not taking effective steps against Russia, he was angry on not being appreciated for his efforts.
The ongoing Gaza genocide, though betrayed his claims. He was also critical of his European allies for recognizing the independence of Palestinian state.
For India and the Modi administration, though the speech is significant. The engagement of a high profile lobbyist in Washington, might have delivered a few favorable sound bites, after the penal tariffs, but nothing has changed in the real world.
The trade deal is not in sight, and H1B visa prices have gone through the roof. It is definitely targeted at Indians. There is a perception that instead of a trump-modi bonhomie to India’s advantage, it is a trump- modi acrimony to India’s loss.
Seen with the recent developments like the Pak-Saudi military pact, touted as the Muslim NATO, the challenges are deeper. The pact couldn’t have come without the American imprimatur.
So Trump chided existing NATO allies for recognizing Palestine, but allowed the Muslim military alliance aimed against Israel. This has changed the indo-Pakistan equation fundamentally.
What seemed like a non issue until April is now a formidable threat. Even the Manipur visit seems to have failed to mollify some antagonist forces in Washington.
The Indian foreign ministry needs to realize that moving down the democratic and secular ladder, would cost them dearly.
