Trump to put contradictory pressure on India-US ties

Subject

Outlook for India-US ties.

Significance

As US President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet takes shape, Delhi is concerned about future US-India relations. Having held no prior political office, and with only a thin, sometimes contradictory trail of policy pronouncements during the election campaign, a Trump government promises major uncertainties in bilateral relations.

Impacts

• Trump’s policies, particularly with respect to China and Pakistan, will have serious knock-on effects on US-India relations.
• Deterioration in US-India economic ties would impede closer defence and security cooperation.
• A rapid escalation in US-China tensions is not in Delhi’s interest; the latter seeks a stable neighbourhood.