Manoj Joshi Column | Trump USA Foreign Policy Reliability India Impact

Manoj Joshi expert on foreign affairs

In the last one year, there have been many disappointing phases in the relations between India and America. Controversy over Trump’s claim of mediation in India-Pakistan war, tariffs imposed due to Russian oil imports, giving importance to Pakistan etc. Earlier this year, there were expectations about a trade deal between the two countries, but despite talks and claims in New Delhi, nothing concrete has been achieved.

India is already under threat of 12.5% ​​additional tariff proposed by the US Trade Representative under Section 301. This tariff has been proposed in connection with the import of goods allegedly made through forced labour. Now there are also reports that if a bill is passed in the US Congress then 100% punitive tariff can also be imposed on India for importing Russian oil.

On July 8-9, America launched massive attacks on Iran’s military bases including Chabahar port. The watch tower of the Indian-run Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal was also demolished in the attacks earlier this month. Even before the Iran war started at the end of last year, America had imposed sanctions on India regarding the Chabahar project.

India had spent a lot of money and effort on this project in the last decade. India’s support to the US-Israel side in the Iran war also did not make any difference to this situation. Despite this, there were American attacks on ships carrying Indian sailors, in which people were killed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected India’s diplomatic protest and said that violation of the blockade will not be accepted.

American attitude towards the Indo-Pacific region is equally worrying. India was considered a major partner through forums like ‘Quad’ to counter China in this region. Quad summit was to be held in India in 2025 and it was expected that Trump would attend it. But the summit could not be held and there is no possibility of it happening this year also.

Here the closeness between America and China is increasing. Trump visited China in May and now Jinping’s visit to America is possible in September. In such a situation, it seems that America has weakened the rationale of its Indo-Pacific policy. Perhaps to confirm this, America’s Indo-Pacific Command recently changed its old name to ‘US Pacific Command’.

We also have to understand that the so-called ‘middle powers’ are incapable of confronting China on their own. Traditionally, it has been the US that has provided the power to challenge China’s aggression in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. America under Trump no longer appears that trustworthy. But a change is visible in the atmosphere.

Japan’s military expansion is now beginning to take shape. By 2027, Japan will become the third largest country in the world in terms of defense spending. India will also have to intensify its military deployment and activities in South-East Asia. It has made a good start by selling BrahMos missile systems to the Philippines and Indonesia.

India cannot leave its Indo-Pacific strategy to America. The strategic responsibility that the Quad had once promised to bear has now fallen on the shoulders of India, Japan and Australia. In such a situation, our task is to create such a balanced ‘minilateral system’, which can handle the Indo-Pacific region without being influenced by the American stance.

On July 8-9, America attacked Iran’s military bases including Chabahar port. The watch tower of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal operated by India was also demolished. We had spent a lot of money and effort on this project over the past decade. (These are the author’s own views)

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