Donald Trump’s second term has sparked a fierce clash between old power groups and nationalist forces. As the White House acts fast, India is rethinking its diplomatic approach in a rapidly shifting global landscape. by Gopal Misra
Few expected that a full scale confrontation between the well-entrenched interest groups driven by a well-orchestrated imperial pro-colonial mindset and the nationalist forces committed to democratic values would flare up in the US soon after the inauguration of the new president. It, however, is happening and the world is keenly watching, if not totally dumb founded.
President Donald Trump, in spite of being attacked a number of times during the election campaign, finally occupies the world’s most powerful and coveted position for the second time. Apart from being escaped from a number of assassination attempts, Trump could be sworn-in despite the efforts of the war mongers trying to implicate him in various criminal charges.
Initially, the political differences were not an open confrontation, but the situation started worsening, when the Biden Administration decided not to work for an amicable political understanding. Instead, Biden used the federal agencies to augment the agenda of the anti-Trump forces, but later he realized that he would soon be buried in history. In a bid to protect his supporters, he initially started pardoning his family, and later his cronies in the Pentagon and even those who could be facing charges for collaborating with China in developing the deadly man-made Coronavirus.
In this context, the scholars engaged in the studies of strategic and foreign affairs in India too were taken for a surprise. They are now trying to understand and evaluate the implications for India of the prompt executive actions being taken by the White House soon after Trump’s inauguration on January 20 this year.
They also have to revisit the impact of the miscalculation of Indian PM Narendra Modi in ignoring Trump’s request to meet him, while he was engaged in the crucial struggle of his political survival. It is also being asked why his foreign office, led by External Affairs Minister, S.Jaishankar, could not advise Modi about the political decline of Biden before he was made irrelevant by the nationalist forces in the US. It also indicates that Modi has abandoned the practice of broad consultations mostly done by people occupying high positions in the state whether it is executive or judiciary.
New Delhi taken by surprise
It is often stated that one should adhere to the basic essentials of the protocols while occupying high positions in the government. If their actions fail to follow the established norms, the country they represent and for them too the consequences could be harmful. The recent mistakes being committed even before being sworn-in for the third term by the Modi supporters cannot be ignored or forgiven. It has never been explained why they, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, assisted Modi to be declared the leader of the coalition NDA, even before being endorsed by the BJP parliamentary party. Modi has failed to get a majority for the BJP in the Lok Sabha, but he was the unquestioned leader of the party. He neither faced any challenge within the ruling party nor from the Opposition. Instead, he along with his cronies opted to ignore the practice and traditions of getting himself elected as the leader of the BJP parliamentary party. Instead, he chose to indulge in cheap gimmicks in the media by getting the leadership of the NDA, thus camouflaging his mistake.
He is seen repeating such mistakes even now, and it is now reflected in his dealings with foreign powers. Fortunately, for the time being India is not a priority for the US. It gives breathing space to the mandarins in South Block, which houses three key ministries, PMO, Defence and External Affairs, to review their existing approach. They have recently been committing a series of blunders allowing anti-India forces to gain power from Maldives to Bangladesh. It is to be keenly watched whether Modi choses to correct mistakes during this period or reverts to the practice of indulging in self-praise. Being a genuine follower of Lord Rama, he may revisit his ideals and be benefitted by the truthfulness considered essential for a devout Hindu. His supporters, perhaps, need to be restrained from depending too much on the false propaganda. It has not only lost its luster and credibility, but also has become counter-productive for the ruling party and its leader.
Meanwhile, Trump has begun his cleansing mission. A large number of employees appointed in various departments of the federal government by his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, are being axed. It is also alleged that they were not only hobnobbing with the war industries, but also facilitating the influx of a large number of immigrants having little loyalties towards the US and its ideals. He has also declared an emergency on the US-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigrants.
Pardons and power plays
Earlier, just a few days before and also a little later in January this year, both Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, were seen performing the drama of competing with each other in pardoning their respective favourites.
It has also been noticed that within hours of being saddled in the office, Trump has not only pardoned those facing long-term imprisonment for storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021, he further bulldozed his way through by issuing executive order to sack a large number of federal employees, especially those serving in various agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and CIA. He proposes to replace them with the new appointees calling them Schedule Policy Career.
For India, the prompt endorsement of Marco Rubio as Secretary of. State by the US Senate, is perhaps a happy moment. The political tilt of Elon Musk towards Beijing is well known. In the new American establishment, Rubio’s concerns towards China are quite vocal. Interestingly, he was also able to get endorsement from a number of Democrats in the House. None opposed him in the House, which reflects the current mood in the American establishment regarding the Dragon.
Rubio’s confirmation is also being viewed as the weakening of the political clout of Elon Musk in the Trump Administration. Musk, who has vast business interests in China, might not have endorsed any anti-China measures. On the other hand, Rubio is a known hardliner and believes that China is a threat to mankind.
His views regarding Beijing are identical with Christopher Wray. In his farewell message before demitting the post of Director in the FBI, he had said that the contemporary American generation is facing unprecedented hostile action from the totalitarian Chinese regime.
American dilemma
The foundation of the US as the world’s most admired democracy, perhaps, can be traced to James Town, where in 1619, this vibrant all-inclusive democratic state was born. During the past four centuries, America has witnessed civil wars, freedom struggle from the European colonists, especially Britain, and fought for ending the slavery and now it is on the forefront in the worldwide campaign for human rights.
The transformation was not easy, but the commitment for setting up a plural society accompanied by strong yearnings for setting up a rational secular society has finally succeeded.
However, the shadow of racial and religious prejudices continue to influence the state’s agenda for continuing its supremacy in the geo-politics.
The world has witnessed the transformation of the US as a symbol of anti-colonialists to become a representative of the European colonists. Since the conclusion of World War-II, the US has been adopting the tricks of the erstwhile colonists, for example supporting the proxies of the British in Asia and Africa. The national leaders for emancipating their people from hunger and needing basic essentials for survival were branded as communists or opposed to democracy. They were promptly replaced by military dictators. From Richard Nixon to Biden, they were always promoting anti-democratic forces.
Nixon had endorsed even the genocide in Bangladesh that had caused the killing of three million Bengali Muslims and the violation of two million Muslim women. Nearly half a century later, Biden endured the end of an elected government in Bangladesh with the support of the Muslim clergy and China. In Syria, he helped al-Qaeda to occupy power.
Since Trump is opposed to any American intervention or involvement of his country’s forces, the military-industrial complex has gone against him.
