In this world, many things you often guess the beginning but never the outcome.
India was utterly unprepared for what happened, as it turned out to be a “natural” friend of the United States, only to now become its target.
Trump has recently struck India three times in a row.
The anger of Indians is burning fiercely.
The days of Prime Minister Modi have not been easy lately.
The first blow came when Trump reiterated his claim that he had stopped the Indo-Pak conflict.
This is where India’s dissatisfaction with Trump reached its peak.
To India, it seemed like Pakistan had provoked the conflict by calling for a ceasefire. How could it be Trump’s fault?
It made India appear to be forced into a ceasefire under US pressure.
Wasn’t this obvious squeezing India’s oil and taking advantage of Modi?
Not stopping there, Trump also couldn’t resist revealing:
At that time, five fighter jets were actually shot down.
“In fact, there were planes shot down. Five, five, four or five, but I believe there were actually five fighter jets shot down.”
This was the first statement from a world leader about five fighter jets, and it was even from the President of the United States!
Raj Gandhi, the opposition leader of India, immediately questioned:
“Prime Minister Modi, what exactly are the facts behind these five planes? The state has the right to know!”
This was just the first strike, more about words than action, and then Trump moved on to his second strike, which was physical.
On the 30th, Trump suddenly announced:
Although India is our old friend, the US
has a huge trade deficit with India, and…
“India’s non-monetary trade barriers are the strictest and most objectionable among all countries. Moreover, India has been purchasing the majority of its military equipment from Russia, and together with Russia and China, it is the largest energy buyer. Therefore, starting from August 1st, India will pay 25% of the tariffs plus penalties.”
1. You are an old friend of India, but you are not honest at all.
2. I’m sorry, we’ve imposed a 25% tariff on you.
3. You also purchase Russian weapons and oil in India, and there will be fines.
I’ve seen many Indian bloggers continuously play a video where Modi boasts to Trump about his friend, the great US President, Donald Trump!
“Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce my friend from India, the great US President, Donald Trump!”
This was a video of Modi campaigning for Trump a few years ago.
I’ve seen some Indians question:
MoD has even issued a slogan: “This time, Trump is in power.”
He embraced him like an old brother who had been separated for years.
In return, Trump continued to impose such harsh tariffs on India.
This was a disastrous failure in foreign policy. The entire country suffered because of one person’s “friendship.”
Please note, this isn’t what I said; it’s what Indian netizens have said.
Of course, many Indians are angry at Modi, but more are targeting the United States and Trump.
I’ve seen former Indian diplomat Rajiv Dogra rebutting Trump:
“India is not a small country… Don’t bully us with trade threats.”
In his view, many iPhones now produced in India could be counterproductive if the US tariffs were too high.
Soon, Trump’s third blow came.
Don’t forget, the world fears comparisons; without them, there is no hurt.
On the 30th, Trump announced again:
Just recently, he reached an agreement with Pakistan, where both countries will jointly develop their abundant oil reserves. We are currently selecting the oil companies to lead this cooperation. Who knows? Perhaps one day they will sell oil to India!
1. On one hand, the US is striking hard against India, while on the other hand, it is flirting with Pakistan.
2. The US has taken a liking to Pakistan and wants to jointly develop its oil reserves.
3. These oil reserves, “maybe one day,” will be sold to India.
The United States has insulted people, but they didn’t expect it to be this way.
I’ve seen on social media that many Indians are scathing in their criticism of Modi, who is only known for his boasting. Everyone thought he could handle Trump, yet who knew that Trump would now be challenging India?
More Indians have called for a retaliation against the United States, which has been extremely disrespectful and humiliating towards India. For the sake of dignity and sovereignty, India should retaliate and let Trump experience the iron fist of India.
A few months ago, we were good friends, embracing each other; how did that transform into a quarrel between two enemies just a few months later?
Firstly, Trump is fixated on the trade deficit with India.
You know, in Trump’s dictionary, any trade deficit is an enemy at war.
Moreover, the non-trade barriers imposed by India on foreign businesses, as well as its various actions towards foreign companies, are also a source of anger for Trump.
So, regardless of who you are or what Modi is, start with 25% tariffs.
Secondly, Trump has severely insulted India but also exerted extreme pressure.
It’s like pushing hard until someone gives up.
In a sense, India is indeed a tough nut to crack. With its strategic importance, especially being referred to as “the world’s largest democracy,” it keeps Western countries particularly dependent on it.
However, Trump doesn’t play by the rules; if he doesn’t get something from the US, he will take drastic measures.
So, is it Modi’s stubbornness that stands out, or Trump’s strength?
Thirdly, India has high expectations and does not properly position itself.
Simply put, is the EU close to the US?
Trump still wants to criticize and punish as he pleases. In the end, according to the general view of Europeans, the EU accepted American economic colonialism and signed an unequal treaty with the US.
Canada is quite close to the US, right?
Trump even openly declared that he wanted to absorb Canada into the US as its 51st state and impose higher tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
Especially Trump, who has claimed to have stopped the India-Pakistan conflict. India also accuses him of lying, which is hindering Trump’s chances of winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Can Trump be happy?
In this world, not every country has enough backbone and confidence to say no to America!
Some countries still believe they are the clever chess players, only to find out in the end that they are just pawns. They sacrifice themselves for America, only to get stabbed in the back by it first.
There’s a popular saying in the streets: “Modi, the sage with boundless power.”
I understand this more as a compliment to Modi’s skillful maneuvers, but when faced with Trump, who is unyielding, Modi must surely be anxious.
I see that the Indian government has stated its stance on Trump’s latest threats, indicating that the government is “analyzing their impact,” and “will take all necessary measures to ensure national interests—highly prioritizing the protection and promotion of the welfare of farmers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises.”
Accepting Trump’s threats would undoubtedly be a nightmare for domestic businesses.
Enduring Trump’s pressure really tests Modi’s stamina and confidence.
I think, the most troubled politician now facing Trump’s attack on India is at least two.
One is Vice President Mike Pence of the United States.
After all, Pence is an Indian son-in-law. Last time he visited India, Modi went out of his way to flatter him, providing sumptuous meals and hospitality. As for trade agreements, they were also discussed well at the time.
But now, Trump is openly targeting India like this, what will Modi do, and where will Pence’s face lie?
Of course, Trump, the autocratic one, will never consider these things.
I saw during a debate in the Indian Parliament, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi harshly criticized:
If Modi had half the courage of Indira Gandhi, he would loudly accuse Trump of being a liar!
MoD didn’t say anything, but silently drank a large amount of water.
However, you can’t deny that his eyes were very fierce, almost capable of killing.