What Trump 2.0 means for India

With Trump 2.0 on the horizon, India’s priority should shift from reflecting on the past to strategically planning its future approach.

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Donald Trump has been the first POTUS to support Hindus openly and call out Islamic radicalism. Unfortunately, Kamala Harris, who is a Tamil but hid her Indian Hindu heritage to the extent of denial, was opportunistic and hypocritical. The verdict is in: the highly anticipated 2024 US elections have resulted in a sweeping Republican victory, with the GOP securing the presidency, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Unlike the narrow outcomes of recent cycles, these results were decisive, marking a landslide that brings Donald J. Trump back as the 47th President of the United States. Now, as armchair analysts worldwide dive into forecasting the future of US foreign policy and global power dynamics, the stage is set for a new era in international relations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shared a productive relationship with Trump in the past, was among the first world leaders to congratulate him on his win. This camaraderie was highlighted earlier in September when Trump, still on the campaign trail, extended birthday wishes to PM Modi-a gesture that underscores the personal rapport between the two leaders. As the initial excitement over Trump's victory begins to settle, it's time to take a deeper, more analytical look at the nuanced and critical issues that lie ahead in shaping US-India relations and the global order.

BUILDING ON PREVIOUS TERM Describing Trump's unpredictable last term as fruitful for India-US relations aptly captures the dynamic between the two nations. As Trump prepares to take the oath next January, significant shifts have emerged in the geopolitical, geoeconomic, and domestic landscapes of both countries.

Trump, having navigated a challenging path himself, now champions a policy focused on peace and stability. His vow to end wars comes at a time when international politics is fraught with conflicts, from Gaza to Ukraine.