The Modi-Trump Meet Has Delivered More Than What Was Expected

“Keep expectations realistic. But deliver beyond expectations.” This is the golden rule that is drilled into every successful corporate employee’s mind, either by organic self-discovery or by a discerning mentor.

This rule comes to mind when one looks back on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official trip to the United States (US) to meet President Donald Trump. Expectation management is key on a crucial trip such as this, especially when it comes to handling someone as outspoken and seemingly impulsive as Trump. Modi and the Indian team must be commended for keeping it a calmly fruitful visit overall.

A nationalist Modi had set the bar in political messaging when he bypassed the self-appointed interpreters of the editorial class in the run-up to his election as Prime Minister. This template was successfully replicated, albeit in an impetuously combative way, by Trump in his presidential campaign. Many observed that their social media popularity and nationalist leanings could well bring the two leaders closer on a personal level. Whether this affected their personal equation or not, it did seem that Mr and Mrs Trump played quite the friendly hosts with visible displays of warmth towards Modi, along with some personal appreciation for the Prime Minister’s leadership.

Optics apart, one can conclude Modi’s US trip as a success beyond expectations on many counts.

Even as Modi was yet to meet Trump, the labelling of Syed Salahuddin – a key figurehead of terror in Kashmir with Pakistani support – by the US as a ‘global terrorist’ set the tone for the engagement. It perhaps indicated that the US, under Trump, may be more inclined to responding to India’s concerns on Pakistan-fuelled terror – a step in the right direction. The joint statement released after the meeting was unequivocal in calling upon Pakistan to ensure that its territory was not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. Interestingly, it specifically mentioned ‘cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups’. This can only mean a push for India’s position internationally on Pakistan-backed terror.

Particularly worthy of mention is the willingness of the US to sell Guardian drones to India. Trump’s position on China was seen as hawkish during his presidential campaign, but it mellowed down once he became President. This set off some concerns in the Indian camp. However, with this move, the pendulum seems to have moved again. Experts opine that these drones can boost India’s naval power by bolstering its surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean, the obvious outcome being an enhanced ability to track Chinese submarine activity. It is also notable that the US has been very selective in selling this particular drone to other nations. That it has chosen to offer it to India indicates a growing degree of trust and a sign of a deeper partnership.

Further, with respect to China, the paragraph on ‘regional economic connectivity’ seems to be hitting out straight at the Dragon. The Modi government’s concerns with China’s One Belt, One Road initiative were well-known, the most important being ‘respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity’ of India, which this project clearly went against. Many had said that such a stand by New Delhi was unusually strongly-worded when it boycotted the summit related to this Chinese initiative.

India’s sentiment has been echoed in the joint statement in what appears to be a further tilting of scales from the US’ side vis-à-vis China. This is an important victory for the Modi government, given the perception that Trump had softened his stance on China.

Much has been spoken about the global climate policy receiving a body blow since the arrival of Trump. In stark contrast, Modi had stood for action against climate change but within the bounds of climate justice – the concept that developing nations which have to lift millions out of poverty while also keeping climate-friendliness in mind must be aided with the means to do so by developed countries.

The joint statement on this matter calls for a “rational approach that balances environment and climate policy, global economic development and energy security needs”. Along with Trump’s chequered record on this issue, this statement may give an India which needs to start growing at great speed, more elbow room to define and negotiate the middle path between growth and sustainability, and extract more concessions from other developed nations in this regard.