India Should Not Be Overconfident or Underestimate Itself.
In an interview with the media, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin directly stated, “India is not a global power.” This was reported by Global Times and trended on social media yesterday (the day).
What does Mnuchin mean?
Actually, looking at the documents signed by President Trump on the same day, one can feel the connection between Mnuchin’s statement and Trump’s actions!
“India is not important” is precisely the time when… He told the camera that India had negotiated with the United States about tariff issues long ago but progress has been very slow.
From Mnuchin’s such statement, it’s clear he wants to emphasize that it was India who approached the United States for tariff negotiations, not the other way around.
“They were dragging their feet, and I think the president and the entire trade team are somewhat disappointed with India!”
Mnuchin is undoubtedly accusing India of wanting to shift the blame for the failure to reach a trade agreement between the United States and India onto India!
The notion that “India is not important” is particularly insulting to India!
With its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $1 trillion, surpassing its former colonial master, the United Kingdom, India is now very close to ranking fourth in the world. On the 4th, the “Transformational State Institute,” a top public policy think tank in India, even declared that according to its statistics, India’s GDP exceeded Japan for the first time, ranking fourth globally after the United States, China, and Germany.
Whether it has surpassed Japan and ranked fourth in the world, its recent economic growth has indeed been impressive. However, one should also see:
— Despite not being a legal nuclear state, there are indeed such “big bombs!”
The formation of a double-carrier fleet consisting of the “Vikram” and “Suvarnabhumi” aircraft carriers
— A capability that even Russia has never possessed!
Can Indians not be furious upon hearing Mnuchin’s words?
India has not yet declared its intention to stand up to the United States or to surpass it in terms of economic performance. How could Besant be so insulted? The guy is desperate for Americans to ignore India!
After Trump signed an executive order on the 2nd, India was subjected to new tariffs. While Besant publicly humiliated India in the media, American media also reported that “India is not prepared to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs.”
The statement “India is not retaliation” was made by American media, not by Indians.
When viewed together with Besant’s statements, the United States seems to want to use various suppression measures, not only to humiliate India but also to make India accept Trump’s tariffs meekly.
It would be even better if India had to accept the blows and thank Trump for it, which would be very satisfying!
American media also stated that India is not just not retaliation but also weighing various options to appease the White House. It seems that Trump’s swinging of the tariff stick really hurts, and India, having been hit, still needs to calculate how much to pay the President of the United States as a hard-earned fee.
“Increasing imports from the United States is an option India can take,” observed the American media.
There are also claims that Trump’s considerable dissatisfaction with India stems from
since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has continuously imported energy from Russia.
Isn’t Trump friendly with Russian President Putin?
“Why should India import energy from Russia?” This question is asked to some countries, including India.
This is where American media provides the answer! They claim that Trump wants India to increase its imports from the United States, such as purchasing more natural gas produced in the United States. Also, gold mined in the United States and communication equipment manufactured in the United States must be included in India’s procurement list.
“Bring money, Modi!” Trump is eager to say this!
Trump even helped India analyze
Previously during the conflict with Pakistan, did India not lose many fighter jets?
Those French and Russian fighter jets, India finds it difficult to handle them. If that’s the case, they might ask the United States for help.
Who knew that during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States in this year’s month, he heard Trump pitching him these aircraft?
At that time, there had not been a new round of conflict between India and Pakistan!
However, Prime Minister Modi directly rejected Trump’s “goodwill” offer. Actually, India wants to produce its own weapons. If the United States does not transfer production lines to India, India has no interest in American-made fighter jets!
On the occasion of signing a new tariff document for India, Trump angrily stated:
“For a long time, the vast majority of India’s military equipment has been purchased from Russia, which is also Russia’s largest energy buyer. At this moment, everyone hopes that Russia will stop its killing in Ukraine—all of this is undesirable!”
It seems that when Trump first took over the White House early this year, his tone on the Russia-Ukraine conflict was not like this. No wonder he threatened to impose tariffs on Russia!
Is India a global important player?
In terms of scale, India has indeed become very important.
In the United States, people have long recognized that India not only has a large territory and a large population—India now ranks as the world’s most populous country, and more importantly, recognizes the existence of a unique civilization in India. Therefore, India should not be underestimated.
For India, Prime Minister Modi and others would never underestimate their homeland. They are eager to become a permanent member of the United Nations.
Of course, globally speaking, India is always considered an important force.
Yesterday, U.S. White House Press Secretary LaVelle Lavoe (right) and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attended a meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo: Xinhua News Agency
India should not be arrogant nor should it be humble. As for Mnuchin’s statement, it’s best to just listen to it out of curiosity!
The development is not balanced; many areas are still behind, but the economy is already very large.
Such an India deserves our attention and respect. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that the way many people in the world view India, or even express their views about India, is often intentional!