Trump’s Unpredictability Challenges India’s Strategic Autonomy
India faces growing pressure to maintain its strategic autonomy amid Donald Trump’s unpredictable diplomacy and economic policies. While defense cooperation with the US deepens, Trump’s erratic rhetoric and tariffs strain relations, forcing India to balance ties with both the US and Russia.
The return of Donald Trump to the White House has created uncertainty for India, as his personal and unpredictable style of diplomacy clashes with India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy. Despite signing a landmark 10-year defense pact with the US, India is unsettled by Trump’s contradictory statements, including public praise and criticism of Prime Minister Modi, and claims of mediating conflicts in South Asia. Economic tensions have escalated, with the US imposing high tariffs on Indian goods, causing significant export losses. At the same time, Trump’s pressure on India to reduce oil imports from Russia challenges India’s longstanding partnership with Moscow, which remains crucial for defense and energy. India’s ability to balance relationships with both powers is tested by Trump’s transactional approach, which lacks institutional continuity and often prioritizes personal negotiation over structured alliances. The article highlights how India must navigate these challenges to preserve its freedom of choice in a volatile global environment, where even silence can be interpreted as political action.
