What is the issue?
India needs to revisit past assumptions about India-US strategic ties.
What are the uncertainties prevailing in US?
- Trump has thrown traditional US political rules and politeness out of the window with no regard for decorum.
- This has forced the press and his political rivals to follow suit and democratic space for accommodative discussion has literally vanished.
- The White House, meanwhile, has turned into a dysfunctional battleground as one senior staffer after another heads for the exit.
- Last week, he refused to condemn neo-Nazis outright and also lost his key right-hand man Steve Bannon.
- The US is still the world’s reigning superpower, so Trump’s antics affect everyone on the planet.
- The President’s erratic tweeting habits have also sent out confusing signals ruining years of carefully crafted diplomatic victories.
What are the implications for India?
- Since the start, Trump has shown little real interest in India and his volatile behaviour has put our policy experts in a big dilemma.
- Although we’ve been building a close relationship with the US to counterbalance China, given the US uncertainty, it’s going to be an increasingly lonely trek.
- US may also be hoping the Chinese will help in dealing with the menace of North Korea, a tilt that will work against India’s interests.
- With this hazy maze in the background, we may have to proceed all the more carefully in the days ahead.
Source: Businessline
