Washington: After the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election, there is a discussion in India about how the relations between the two countries will be during Trump’s tenure in India. Most people believe that given India’s growing economic strength and its importance on the world stage, relations between India and the US are expected to improve further. Now Lisa Curtis, an expert on South and Central Asia who worked with Trump in the last term, has also said that Trump will give importance to relations with India in this term as in his first term.
‘Trump will pick up where he left off’
Lisa Curtis was an adviser to Donald Trump and director of the Security Council for South and Central Asia between 2017 and 2021. Curtis has said that ‘I think the newly elected President Trump will start from India where he left off. He has good feelings and goodwill towards India and I see this tenure as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. He said that during Trump’s first term (2017-2021), US-India relations improved due to India’s importance and its role in countering China’s challenges.
Good relations between Trump and PM Modi
Speaking to PTI, Lisa Curtis said that Trump and Prime Minister Modi also have a good personal relationship and this relationship has really helped cement progress. Technology restrictions on India were lifted during Trump’s tenure, giving India access to armed drone technology. Lisa Curtis is currently a senior fellow and director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for New American Security, a think-tank.
Donald Trump and PM Modi
There are some obstacles in India-US relations
Lisa Curtis said that while Trump had generally had a good relationship with India during his first term, there were some obstacles, mainly the tariff issue. Trump wants American companies to enter the Indian market. Trump also expressed displeasure at the heavy tariffs imposed by India on several American products during his first term. According to Lisa Curtis, this time too there may be a hurdle in India-US relations on the issue of trade and tariffs. However, this is not expected to adversely affect the relationship between the two countries. The Trump administration may also ask India to reduce its dependence on Russia for military equipment.
America and India are worried about China
Lisa Curtis said that both the US and India are concerned about China, as China is trying to dominate the technology market and dominate Asia, which both India and the US do not want. In such a situation, India and the US can pay special attention to strengthening security and strategic ties to stop China. Referring to the appointment of Mike Waltz as NSA and Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Lisa Curtis said that both leaders are aggressive towards China and both are supportive towards India.
No one will pay attention to Pakistan
Curtis said that Trump’s second term is unlikely to be focused on Pakistan and that no one should expect major changes in his Afghan policy. Curtis said the Trump administration would continue to try to persuade India to reduce its reliance on Russian military equipment.
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