India's ‘Trump' Card

Abstract

The world's two largest democracies have developed into a "global strategic partnership" over the past few years, based on shared democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues. The frequency of high-level visits of and meetings between President Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have witnessed co-operation in almost all the fields covering trade and investment, defence and security, education, science and technology, cyber security, high-technology, civil nuclear energy, space , environment, agriculture and health. The road seemed quite smooth until the Presidential elections were declared in the U.S. The arrival of Donald Trump into the scene has had unprecedented impact on not only the overall political, social, economic and cultural aspects of the American community but also their counterparts in India too. The comments and remarks made by Donald Trump were applauded by many on grounds of their clear message to the international community that security of its people comes foremost. The problem arose only when the list of potential threats was put up. It included a significant population of Indians, Muslims of any country, to be more specific. India's response to the immigration problem can be handled in a diplomatic manner but the question of Muslims is of a very complicated nature. While the former can be dealt with in terms of foreign policy, the later is sure to raise issues of nationalism.