Modi’s Trump & Xi Fine Balance Amid Fluid Geopolitics
PM Narendra Modi with American podcaster Lex Fridman * US and Chinese Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping (Image credit X.com)
Modi’s China Remarks Invite Close Scrutiny
By Manish Anand
New Delhi, March 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to make a fine balance between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a podcast with American podcaster Lex Fridman, Modi’s analogy of dispute in family on India-China relations is inviting close scrutiny.
“Even within a family, not everything is always perfect, our effort is to ensure these differences don’t turn into disputes,” Modi said on LAC incursions to the podcaster.
Christopher Clary, an associate Professor of Political Science, University at Albany, said that “one view of this is of Modi’s sincere belief”. “Another view is it is instrumental. Could be buying time… Modi might also not want to be left in cold if there is a US-China bargain, which has been Trump’s dream deal since his first term,” said Clary in a post on X.
Trump’s aides openly flaunt his deal-making skills. They assert that Trump will make deals in the interest of the US.
Trump in his first term had sought to mend ties with North Korea. In days leading to the inauguration of his presidency, Trump’s key aide and billionaire Elon Musk was also rumoured to have met Iranian envoy at the United Nations.
Ahead of Trump Unveiling, Modi reminds Xi Jinping of Special Bond
In this background, Trump’s slapping of tariff on China is being seen as an act of brinkmanship to find the best deal with Beijing. The US has an excessive trade deficit with China, which accounts for over one-third of trade surplus of Beijing. China in 2024 had an almost $1 trillion of trade surplus.
Foreign affairs analysts argue that Trump may be seeking to wean away Russia from China’s arms. Trump is seen heavily appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine War.
India, thus, argue the analysts, will be keen to keep all fronts open and not shut doors on any of the big economies. Carrying forward the ‘Kazan Spirit’, India and China are de-escalating from five years long border tension.
For India, China remains a cheap source of raw materials. This has been cited as reasons for tolerating an excessive trade deficit with China that is almost $100 billion.
“Since Trump was sworn in, Putin and Xi have spoken twice. Putin and Xi also like each other on a personal level,” said Sari Arho Havrén, a China analyst. She underlined that decoupling of Russia-China may be a far-fetched idea.
Analysts argued that Trump may have to strike a deal with China to relations warm with Russia. India will, thus, like to tread with cautions in fluid geopolitics, state foreign affairs analysts.
Join the WhatsApp Channel of The Raisina Hills
Follow on Google News https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMNK2vwsw39HWAw?hl=en-IN&gl=IN&ceid=IN%3Aen
About The Author
