As Donald Trump celebrates his Nov. 5 victory in the US presidential election, India is feeling the ripple effects of his success. Known for his unconventional diplomacy and unpredictability, Trump’s return puts India at a unique crossroads. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, under pressure over alleged targeting of Khalistan separatists abroad and its close ties with Russia, hopes a Trump presidency could bring relief. With Trump in office, India is cautiously optimistic about reduced scrutiny on these issues and potential boosts in US-India cooperation.

India’s relationship with Trump has always been unique, grounded in a blend of pragmatism and nationalism on both sides. Trump’s previous term saw him embrace Prime Minister Modi with notable enthusiasm, exemplified by events like the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston in 2019. Yet, that embrace was grounded not in ideological kinship but in the strategic convergence of interests-particularly around defense, technology, and a shared skepticism of China’s growing influence.

Unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, Trump has historically been less critical of human rights issues and more inclined to prioritize transactional gains. Modi’s administration hopes Trump will brush aside allegations raised by Canada and the US regarding India’s involvement in plots to target Khalistan separatists living in North America. For India, a Trump administration’s indifference to these claims would defuse an issue that has complicated its foreign relations.

While Modi congratulated Trump with a message on X (formerly Twitter), expressing eagerness to “renew our collaboration,” he also displayed measured caution throughout the election cycle. Learning from the past, Modi’s administration avoided overt expressions of support for any particular candidate, an approach informed by the backlash following Modi’s implicit endorsement of Trump in 2019. In a nail-biting race where current VP Kamala Harris was the main opponent, Modi’s strategic restraint may have been key to........

© Blitz