EAM S. Jaishankar: Donald Trump 2.0 is No Challenge for India

With a focus on a healthy political relationship and potential in trade and technology, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasizes India’s strong position in fortifying ties with President-elect Trump.

During an interactive session at ASSOCHAM in New Delhi on Thursday, December 5, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted India’s beneficial political relationship with US President-elect Donald Trump. He said that India is in a “much more advantageous position” than many other nations in fortifying ties with Trump’s second term.

Trump’s favorable political assessment of India

“We’ll have to work out a political equation with America and that is one area where we score because we’ve always had a positive political relationship with Trump,” Jaishankar said, reflecting on the long-standing political relationship between India and Trump. Trump, in my opinion, has always had a favorable political opinion of India.

India’s benefit in fortifying relations with the United States

He continued by saying that although India, like other countries, may encounter some difficulties, it is still well-positioned to take advantage of Trump 2.0 in order to strengthen ties between the US and India. “Like everybody else, we may also have some issues. We will deal with those issues, but I would say when I look around the world today, you know there are countries who (are) looking at Trump 2.0 as a political challenge. We are not,” Jaishankar said, establishing India as a vital US ally.
“And I think that separates us from a very large number of countries. We are in a much more advantageous position to translate 2.0 into a deeper relationship,”.

India’s increasing technological significance

The minister of external affairs also emphasized India’s increasing significance in the technology sector, pointing out that the US will want India in numerous fields where they hope to lead in cutting-edge and vital technologies. “The two countries will have to build an understanding of mutual benefits and relationships in several areas like emerging and critical technologies as trusted partners,” Jaishankar stated.

Addressing concerns about Trump’s policies

Amid international concerns including the Russia-Ukraine crisis and tensions in West Asia, Jaishankar also addressed worries about the Trump administration’s plans, namely on tariffs, climate change, and foreign policy priorities. He said that in order to overcome these obstacles and guarantee the greatest results for both nations, India would collaborate with the US.

Free trade talks between India and the UK and EU

Jaishankar talked about India’s attempts to negotiate free trade agreements with the UK and the EU about trade relations. While acknowledging the difficulty of balancing the interests of several EU members, he emphasized that these accords will eventually be advantageous to India. “In the case of the EU, there are multiple members. So everybody has their interest. So how to harmonize it? That is a challenge. But overall we believe that it will benefit us,” he stated.

India’s evolving international image under PM Modi

Jaishankar also out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has played a major role in the dramatic shift in the world’s opinion of India over the past ten years. He claimed that many world leaders have been impressed by the Modi government’s third straight term, which has strengthened India’s standing internationally.

MSMEs and the economic expansion of India

Speaking on the contribution of MSMEs to India’s economic expansion, Jaishankar reiterated the government’s resolve to boost competitiveness and establish additional manufacturing zones. “We have to create more manufacturing zones, improve logistics and make ourselves more competitive. I think we have made progress but there is a lot we will have to do,” he said.

Government initiatives in trade agreements to safeguard MSMEs

He continued by saying that the government has been careful to safeguard MSMEs’ interests, particularly when negotiating free trade agreements.

Noting the detrimental effects on India’s agriculture and MSMEs, he noted that the government has requested a review of India’s free trade deal with ASEAN.

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