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NDTV
06-08-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Trump's Dilemma: Why US Wants India To Be Strong, But Not Too Strong
US President Donald Trump's recent announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian exports coupled with the threat of additional and substantial penalties for importing energy and defense systems from Russia has reignited tensions between the world's two largest democracies. Although framed as a protectionist gesture designed to revitalise American manufacturing, the move is far more than a bilateral trade dispute. It reflects a deeper and more structural friction between two global powers navigating a new era of multipolarity - one in which India is no longer a junior partner in someone else's order but a strategic pole of its own. A Quadripolar World What makes this episode significant is not its short-term economic impact - though that, too, is considerable - but the way it underscores the evolving fault lines of a world increasingly defined not by a single superpower, but by four competing centres of influence. In this emerging "quadripolar" configuration of power captured in recent scholarship examining the distribution of global authority between the United States, China, the Russia, and India - the very notion of global leadership is diffused; consensus is the exception, not the rule. Within this framework, Trump's tariff regime signals the limits of transactional diplomacy and the persistence of hegemonic instincts in American foreign policy. For India, the tariffs and associated penalties land at the intersection of strategic autonomy and economic resilience. New Delhi has long refused to be drawn into binary alignments whether through military blocs, digital alliances, or trade regimes dominated by any one power. Its decision to continue purchasing discounted Russian oil and advanced military systems, such as the S-400, is rooted not in ideological preference but in sovereign necessity. This refusal to yield to American pressure is not unique to the current moment; it has defined India's foreign policy posture for decades, from its stance during the Cold War to its leadership in the Global South today. The recent statement delivered by the Ministry of External Affairs of India on the United States and the European Union's continued trade with Russia in critical commodities, and energy despite publicly backing Ukraine in its war further highlights the hypocrisy of the West and India's independent posture. Not Just A Partner That very strategic independence is precisely what grates on US policymakers. Whether it is Trump or any future or previous administration, Washington increasingly views India not just as a partner in containing China but as a potential challenger in its own right. The contradictions are hard to ignore. The US wants India to be strong, but not too strong. It seeks partnership but under its own terms. Yet India is unwilling to play second fiddle. That is one reason it has refused to purchase F-35 fighter jets, apart from financial and technical considerations. Buying into that ecosystem would entail long-term dependencies that sit uneasily with India's vision of indigenous defense development and diversified procurement. This underlying tension, exposed so clearly by the latest tariffs, is likely to prompt India to reassert its foreign policy autonomy even more firmly. In the short term, it may lead to pragmatic cooperation with Russia and China not as an alliance of shared values, but as a tactical arrangement born of mutual interest in resisting US overreach. The trilateral cooperation also called Troika is visible in forums like the BRICS, and recent energy and payment infrastructure discussions reflects this logic. Even in its recent engagements with ASEAN and African partners, India is laying the groundwork for a more diversified and less US-centric global economic posture. A Strategic Pivot It would be naive, however, to interpret this as India pivoting fully eastward. New Delhi remains deeply invested in its strategic partnership with Washington particularly in the areas of defense interoperability and technology transfer. But it is also making clear that this partnership cannot be predicated on obedience. The world has moved beyond the 20th-century frameworks of alliance and alignment. Today, India seeks convergence without dependence, cooperation without compliance. What the tariff episode makes abundantly clear is that the US-India relationship is bounded not just by temporary irritants but by structural competition. Both nations are democratic, diverse, and ambitious. But their visions of global order differ. Washington still sees itself as the indispensable power. India, meanwhile, sees itself as an indispensable alternative especially for the Global South, which it increasingly seeks to represent in global fora. A Blunder In The Making? In this context, punitive trade measures are not just poor policy but they are strategic miscalculations. They risk alienating one of the few partners with the capacity and legitimacy to balance China in Asia. They may also accelerate India's determination to shape global rules rather than simply follow them - from digital governance to payments infrastructure to climate negotiations. India's efforts to build sovereign technology stacks, resist foreign data colonialism, and push for multipolar norms in international institutions are all part of this broader arc. As the architecture of international order shifts, India will neither be contained nor co-opted. It will contest the terrain, assert its priorities, and demand equal footing. And that, ultimately, is what the quadripolar world demands of every great power: the ability to live with others who do not think, act, or align exactly as one would wish. The faster Washington comes to terms with this, the more fruitful the US-India partnership can become. But if it continues to treat rising powers as strategic dependents rather than equals, it risks not only losing a partner but pushing India closer to its rivals. Not out of ideological affinity, but out of pragmatic necessity. In today's world, that is more than a diplomatic misstep. It is a geopolitical failure. (S. Yash Kalash is a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and an expert in strategy, public policy, digital technology and financial services. He has a distinguished track record advising governments and the private sector on emerging technologies.)
Mint
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Israel is taking good care of Indian guests...': Ambassador Azar says Tev Aviv is in constant contact with MEA
'Israel is taking good care of Indian guests...': Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said that his country is in 'constant contact' with the Ministry of External Affairs of India over the evacuation of Indian nationals amid the escalation of military confrontation between Israel and Iran. In an interview with news agencies, Azar said Israel is taking good care of all these residents, including guest workers and, of course, 'our Indian guests'. 'We have enough shelters around the country, and those who wish to leave, we coordinate their departure with MEA in Delhi,' he said on the evacuation of Indians residing in Israel amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. He added that 'whatever message we get from the Indian government, we take it very seriously' to ensure the safety of all Indian citizens. 'We are in constant contact with the MEA, on all subjects that have to do with the evacuation of civilians. We've been cooperating since the beginning of the war, and this cooperation continues,' Azar said. The Ambassador said that the Indian Embassy in Israel is also doing 'a pretty good job' of working with Israeli authorities. 'I'm sure that both those who stay and those who leave do so in a safe way.' The Indian Embassy in Israel has been issuing advisories since the start of the conflict, urging Indian nationals there to take adequate precautions. As the military confrontation intensified, India decided to evacuate its nationals from Israel who wished to leave in view of the unfolding security situation in that country. New Delhi's decision on Thursday to evacuate its citizens came hours after an Iranian missile struck a hospital in the Beersheba area of Israel. "In view of the recent developments between Israel and Iran, the government of India has decided to evacuate from Israel those Indian nationals who wish to leave," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India," it said. India on Wednesday announced the launch of 'Operation Sindhu' to evacuate its nationals from Iran after the Persian Gulf nation's conflict with Israel showed no sign of letting up. On June 17, Azar told reporters that his country will continue to do what is within its capabilities to "degrade" Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. At the briefing held here, he also said that a diplomatic solution to halt the hostilities would be better. Starting a week ago, Israel under its 'Operation Rising Lion' conducted multiple strikes on the territory of Iran, with Tehran also returning fire after warning Israel.
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
4th Meeting of India-Egypt Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism
The 4th Meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism was held on 30 April 2025 in Cairo. The two delegations were led by Ambassador K. D. Dewal, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism), Ministry of External Affairs of India and Ambassador Walid Al-Fiqi, Director of the Department of Counter Terrorism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and included representatives of various agencies from both countries. India and Egypt strongly condemned the recent heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam that targeted domestic and international tourists. Egypt reaffirmed its full support for India in confronting all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining the country's security and stability. Both sides agreed to strengthen joint efforts in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The two sides exchanged views on terror threats in their respective countries and regions. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen areas of cooperation to counter new and emerging challenges such as use of technology for terrorist purposes and financing of terrorism, including crypto currencies, unmanned aerial systems and misuse of cyber space by terrorists for spreading terrorist propaganda. The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in anti-money laundering efforts, drug trafficking and organized crime. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in training and capacity building, cyber security, use of AI for counter terrorism, exchange of best practices and information sharing. The two sides also discussed strengthening of multilateral cooperation in counter terrorism including in the United Nations, BRICS, the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF) and FATF. In this context, both sides exchanged views on how to enhance effectiveness of the GCTF and reiterated the commitment to early finalization and adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). The next meeting of the Joint Working Group shall be held in India on a mutually convenient date. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs - Government of India.
India.com
27-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Use Of Water As Weapon: Pakistan PM Sharif Raises Indus Row In Call With Iranian President
Days after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty, the water shortage threat is looming large on Pakistani regions dependent on the Chenab river for their water needs. After Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian called Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif made a call to his Iranian counterpart and raised the Indus Water Treaty suspension issue. In his call with Pezeshkian, Sharif also rued the alleged weaponisation of water by India. Sharif also expressed shock over the explosion at the Shahid Rajaee Port, Bandar Abbas in Iran. Sharif's Call To Iran "I spoke to my brother, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran this evening, to express my deep shock at the tragic explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, Bandar Abbas. Expressed solidarity with Iran on the loss of precious lives and prayed for early recovery of the injured," said Sharif. In his call with Iranian President, Sharif played the victim of terrorism. "We also exchanged views on the regional situation. Reaffirmed Pakistan strong desire for peace in the region and reiterated our condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations. Recalled that Pakistan was itself one of the biggest victims of terrorism. Denounced India's use of water as a weapon, which was unacceptable to Pakistan," he said. Iran Reaches Out To PM Modi Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs of India said that President Pezeshkian called PM Modi to express condolences for the victims of the Pahalgam attack. "President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran called PM Narendra Modi and strongly condemned the terror attack in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and conveyed his condolences for the victims. Both leaders agreed that there could be no justification for such acts of terror and all those who believe in humanity must stand together in the fight against terrorism," said the MEA. The MEA further said, "PM shared the anger and anguish of the people of India and their resolve to deal with those behind the terror attack and their supporters, firmly and decisively. PM also conveyed his condolences for the loss of lives in the explosion in Bandar Abbas today and wished speedy recovery for those injured." Bandar Abbas Explosion A massive explosion hit Iran's Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas in which at least 14 people were killed and 750 others were injured. A huge plume of thick, grey smoke was seen rising from the Shahid Rajaee port complex. The Iranian government has said that the explosion was likely related to chemicals being stored. Pahalgam Terror Attack On April 22, a group of 5-7 terrorists entered the Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot in Pahalgam, and identified non-Muslim tourists one by one and shot most of them point blank. The terrorists killed 26 people, mainly tourists. The attack has attracted widespread global condemnation and support for India.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
What drove India to the drastic, never-used Indus water option? Indian Embassy in Washington reveals the reason
— IndianEmbassyUS (@IndianEmbassyUS) Live Events The Indian Embassy in Washington just explained the reason why India made the drastic, hitherto-unexplored, unanticipated water move, giving a peek into the govt's hardening, winner-take-all stance on Pakistan, revealing the proverbial last straw that broke the camel's is worth noting here that the Indus Water Treaty , signed in 1960, had survived three bloody wars between the two neighbours and India's big decision taken following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam , the Indian Embassy in Washington said that the compact was established with intentions of goodwill and friendship. It pointed out that Pakistan's backing of state-sponsored terrorism has significantly undermined this a statement made via a post on X, the Indian Embassy addressed media inquiries about the suspension of the treaty, explaining why India can't be expected to keep cooperating with a country like Pakistan. It posted, "The Indus Water Treaty was concluded by India with Pakistan in a spirit of goodwill and friendship in 1960."The statement further emphasised, "Pakistan, through its well-documented, state-sponsored terrorism directed against India, has corroded this spirit. India cannot be expected to continue to cooperate with a country which is responsible for killing innocent civilians."In response to the tragic events in Pahalgam, the Ministry of External Affairs of India declared several robust measures, including the immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. This suspension will remain in effect until Pakistan can provide credible and irreversible assurances that it will renounce its support for cross-border Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations facilitated by the World Bank, has been recognised as one of the most effective international agreements. It has survived numerous tensions and conflicts, providing a vital framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over 50 years. Former World Bank President Eugene Black was instrumental in initiating these Eisenhower, a former President of the United States, famously referred to the treaty as "one bright spot ... in a very depressing world picture that we see so often." The agreement designates the Western Rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—to Pakistan, while the Eastern Rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—are allocated to India. Importantly, the treaty also permits both nations to utilise certain aspects of the rivers assigned to the other party. Specifically, India is allocated 20 percent of the water from the Indus River System, with Pakistan receiving the remaining 80 per cent.
