Trump's Ascension Offers Historic Opportunity To India

Donald Trump winning the US Presidential polls is a huge plus for India. Thankfully, Narendra Modi is at the helm and both of them know the value of leading the two largest democracies in the world. All ideological inclinations must succumb to the huge opportunities for the people of the two countries, for democracy and also for the entire world.

Trump has demonstrated that he means business and a strong America under a 'friend' is always good for India. During his last term, he did not get much time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time he gets a golden opportunity to do what he wanted and address the real issues.

No country other than India would understand his agenda of checking illegal migration better. Every country has a right to check illegal migration and grant citizenship through a process. Here both Narendra Modi and Trump are on the same ground. India faces a threat from illegal migration that is seeking to change the demographics of many districts in the country.

It is not without reason that an average Indian is excited. He knows that the time has come for India to strengthen its economic might and is awaiting a major shift from other economies such as China to India. The Modi government has already prepared the ground by focusing on reliable infrastructure that will support economies of scale, making reforms in the legal system for speedy settlement of disputes and an assured environment for growth with full dignity.

Ask an average American businessman working in China about his fears and he would tell you how difficult it is. China has come up with an Unreliable Entities List (UEL) since September 2020 to point out foreign companies and individuals that the administration would consider unreliable and against Chinese economic interests.

Chinese untrustworthiness, non-transparent administration, and closeness of society despite free market pockets have forced many corporations from Europe and the West to move out. More are keen to move if they get attractive operational business grounds. These companies that helped China become strong by getting massive investments there are restive because of the uncertainties due to an assertive China.

Why should India depend on the US for its economic progress is often raised in the ideologically aligned circle of the Left-Liberal cabal? Today's India with its huge democratic dividend and the largest population (equal or more than that of China) offers a huge opportunity something that China offered in the 1980s and the 1990s. More then 60 per cent population is young and energetic and under the Modi regime the youths have become increasingly ambitious and aspirational.

Photo Credit: PTI

We can brag about soon India becoming the third-largest economy of the world after the US and China. But think of the reality. China with the same level of population as ours has an economy of USD 18.27 Trillion. The US, the largest economy is pegged at USD 29.17 Trillion. Let us not forget that the US has a population close to 33.5 crore (2023) and this is at least 4 times less than that of India or China. This means that for China or India to compete with the US, the economy must be around USD 73-75 Trillion (population-GDP dynamics).

India does not need to do anything but create confidence in its abilities to deliver on the promises of good governance. Already the massive infrastructure investment, expansion of road and high-speed internet connectivity and an affordable labour rate have made the country an attractive destination for foreign MNCs.

Added to Modi's efforts at home is the matching positive role played by the Indian Diaspora, particularly in the countries of the West and Europe. The Indian Prime Minister during his numerous visits to these countries have inculcated a great sense of pride in the community and exhorted them to play a positive role in the country they have been staying. The political leadership there understood the importance of keeping this Diaspora happy since they contribute economically and to society by respecting the law of the land. Most of this Diaspora supported Trump.

With the US-China dynamics shifting, the state is set for a significant rebalancing of global powers. China has already backed out from its commitment to not to militarize the South China Sea which has caused concerns for free maritime trade. And despite dependence on the Western world for trade, China has been causing a lot of headaches to the world by its expansionist mentality.

Donald Trump does not mince words and he freely speaks his mind. After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US does not need Pakistan any more. Already India has marched ahead and no head of a foreign country now wants to club India and Pakistan together during his or her visit. The US needs a dependable ally in this region and there is no other country than India that can tame the Dragon. The long military standoff on the borders between China and India has shown that India cannot be taken for a ride.

Also, the US, the Western world and Europe have been making a lot of sound and fury on human rights issues. But they have conveniently ignored violations of Human rights in China. Human Rights etc will thrive only where democracy prevails and peoples' voice increases in governance.