Old Delhi, New Washington
(Source: The Indian Express, Editorial Page)
Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 09 July 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 09 July 2025
| Topic: GS2 (India and its relations with the USA, Foreign Policy), GS3 (International Trade, Security Issues) |
| Context |
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Understanding America’s Shift Under Trump
- Under Donald Trump, the US foreign policy took a sharp unilateral turn, marked by withdrawal from international pacts, tariff wars, and strategic disengagement from long-standing alliances like NATO.
- Rather than being purely ideologically driven, this shift reflected deep-rooted domestic discontent, including rising inequality, deindustrialization, and political polarization.
- The result was a new global posture of the US – that of a “rogue superpower”, where national interest and populism shaped decisions over international cooperation or leadership.
Domestic Drivers Behind the New US Strategy
- The rise of populist nationalism was a reaction to decades of globalization, which many working-class Americans believed enriched elites while hollowing out domestic industries.
- These socio-economic disruptions translated into foreign policy that rejected multilateralism in favor of “America First” protectionism.
- Immigration, technology offshoring, and trade agreements like NAFTA were seen as threats to sovereignty and security—thus justifying the rollback of global commitments.
Implications for India’s Foreign Policy
- India must understand that US foreign policy is increasingly shaped by internal politics, not just elite consensus or strategic interests.
- New Delhi’s tendency to personalize diplomacy—focusing heavily on good relations with a sitting US President—can backfire when the US changes administrations or policy directions.
- India must deepen its engagements with Congress, civil society, think tanks, and state-level leadership, making the relationship more resilient to executive-level volatility.
India’s Diplomatic Strategy So Far
- India has navigated US volatility with a pragmatic multi-alignment approach, seen in its simultaneous engagement with the US, Russia, and the Global South.
- While bilateral relations under Trump remained stable in defense and energy, there was a lack of depth in institutional connections, leaving India exposed to unexpected shifts.
- India’s reliance on symbolic gestures and limited investments in foreign policy research weakens its long-term strategic foresight.
Traditional US Foreign Policy vs Trump Era
| Dimension | Traditional US Policy | Trump Era Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Multilateralism | Strong commitment to NATO, WTO, UN | Withdrew from many pacts (e.g., Paris Accord) |
| Strategic Engagement | Long-term ally coordination | Transactional & ad-hoc diplomacy |
| Trade Approach | Free trade & globalization | Tariff wars, protectionist stance |
| Immigration | Managed with liberal policies | Harsh restrictions, travel bans |
| Diplomacy Style | Institution-based & stable | Personality-driven, unpredictable |
Conclusion/Way Forward
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India stands at a critical juncture in rethinking how it engages with major global powers, especially the United States.
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In an era where internal political shifts in democracies like the US can upend foreign policy overnight, India must pivot to an approach rooted in institutional trust, bipartisan outreach, and strategic depth.
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Investing in foreign policy capacity, cultivating deeper parliamentary and civil society channels, and avoiding over-personalization of diplomacy will ensure India’s long-term interests remain secure, regardless of who occupies the White House.
| Practice Question: (GS-2 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) How should India recalibrate its foreign policy in light of the rising trend of unilateralism in the United States? |
