Daily Editorial Update with Vocabulary – Turnaround in Trump

The first meeting between Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and American President Donald Trump turned out to be
very fruitful, belying skepticism
over any positive outcome. Modi succeeded in hard-selling India story to both
American industry and polity.

Contrary to fears of Trump giving
a torrid time to Modi, Trump not
only laid a red carpet welcome but even made him the first foreign dignitary to
have a working dinner with him at White House.

Seizing the opportunity, Modi
certainly put his finest skills to best use and made Trump realise that making
‘America First’ hinges upon
protecting the interests of India and its people.

He seemed to have succeeded as a fastidious Trump called India a
“true friend” and declared the relationship has never been stronger
and better.

Both leaders deftly steered clear of irritants like H1B visa issue, US exit from
climate pact, huge US trade deficit with India, barriers to American business
in India etc. India was surprised by Trump’s surprising gesture in regard to tackling
the common threat i.e., terrorism.

The US has designated as a global
terrorist Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. Both leaders also urged
Islamabad to expeditiously bring to
justice the perpetrators of terror attacks in India. Indeed, it is a big
setback to Pakistan. US action has vindicated
India’s longstanding position that cross-border terrorism is behind the crisis
created in Kashmir, thus warming the cockles of Indians’ hearts.

But India had better be cautioned
that the US may not act beyond this against its still trusted ally. It needs
Pakistan for support to its troops in Afghanistan and to pave way for peace in
that country. Likewise, Trump may not go after China either.

Of late, developments in North
Korea and American business interests in China seemed to have softened Trump’s
tough-on-China remarks. It is not only important not to take any sides, but
also equally important to be seen doing so. India is joining US and Japan in
the biggest naval exercise in the Indian Ocean next month.  But, it should not venture into Indo-Pacific
region, which is certain to rankle
China. 

It will be naive to expect great
results right away flowing from the meeting. PM may be berated for not putting across India’s concerns over H1B visa. But
the first meeting and the first impressions are very vital. Prickly issues can
be followed up on later.

Both leaders developed a good
rapport before the Group of 20 meeting in Germany next month.  Though, one may not expect Indo-US ties under
Trump to brim with bonhomie as seen during the days of Obama presidentship,
nevertheless, Trump sounded amenable
to a ‘promising’ relationship. Like a true friend, he tried to humour India
even at the cost of annoying a trusted ally in Pakistan. 

Thus, devoid of any jarring notes, Modi-Trump meeting
raised hopes that both the greatest democracies can jointly act as engines of
growth for mutual benefit and prosperity. Modi has literally turned Trump
around to this great idea. But, it needs time and energies of both the leaders
to ensure that the relationship stays the course.