In defence deals, Trump’s MAGA push could undermine Modi’s Make in India plans

Around the world, opinions about Donald’s Trump’s new term as president have been largely negative, largely because of his claim that he will impose tariffs of between 10% and 20% on all imports. Among is first acts has been to renege again, as he did during his first stint, on the Paris Agreement on climate change.

A survey by the Pew Research Centre in 2019 had found that 64% of respondents in 32 countries lacked confidence in Trump to do the right thing in the world’s affairs when he was in his first term as US president.

He received low ratings in Western Europe, with 74% of Germans and 70% of French citizens declaring that they lacked confidence in him. However, in India, 66% of respondents expressed confidence in him. This is not surprising as many Hindutva adherents who support Narendra Modi saw in Trump muscular leader who seemed to be a global reflection of the values propagated by the Indian prime minister. On public platforms, Trump seems to share a close bond with Modi.

Among those with keen hopes that Indo-US ties will be strengthened during Trump’s new term are many in India’s defence sector. But they are ignoring the fact that while arms deals…

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