Why Is India Bowing Down Before The US And Trump? Is India Scared? What Happened To 56-Inch?
Remember when India and India’s leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi were supposed to be the great “Vishwa Guru,” standing tall and leading the world? Well, that fantasy is crumbling, and the realities are piling up.
While small nations like Mexico, Argentina, are standing up against Trump’s tariffs and even a private Norwegian company, Haltbakk Bunkers, had the guts to cut off refueling for US Navy vessels in protest against Trump’s treatment of Zelenskyy, India is bending over backward to please the former and now-again President Donald Trump. The same India that once had a leader with an alleged ‘56-inch chest!
The Return of Tariff Man and India’s Scramble
Donald Trump has never been known for his subtlety and from the moment he stepped back into the White House, he’s been swinging his tariff sword left, right, and center, ready to cut down any economy that doesn’t serve his ‘America First’ doctrine. And in this world of economic warfare, India, the so-called emerging global powerhouse, is somehow still struggling to find a trade policy that doesn’t end up making it look like a pushover and all beneficial to United States.
In fact, India was among the first nations to send its leader—Modi, the self-proclaimed best buddy of Trump – to the US, almost as if to say, ‘Hey, remember me, your Howdy Modi friend?’ But that camaraderie from 2019, where Modi and Trump held hands like long-lost friend, seems to have aged badly. Trump is back, and suddenly, it’s India that’s making all the concessions and bending over backwards!
Not long ago, India dramatically reduced tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) to accommodate American businesses, the name in company in question – Tesla.
Can someone explain why the so-called ‘self-reliant’ India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) keeps rolling out the red carpet for American interests while making life harder for its own industries?
What’s even more puzzling is why a country that prides itself on standing tall in global affairs suddenly seems scared of an unpredictable US President. Where’s the aggressive diplomatic strategy? Where’s the national pride? Has it all evaporated with Trump’s return to power?
Handcuffed and Humiliated. Why Was India Silent?
Take, for instance, the case of illegal Indian migrants being deported from the US. Under Trump’s orders, these migrants were forcibly sent back to India, shackled and handcuffed like criminals.
Were they murderers? Drug lords? Terrorists?
No. They were just desperate individuals chasing the so-called “American Dream,” trying to build a better life for themselves. Other world leaders condemned this inhumane treatment. however, did Modi’s government even raise a peep? No, the silence was deafening and when these deported Indians landed in India, their families were horrified to see them humiliated.
Bowing Down to Tariffs. Where’s the Retaliation?
Coming to Trump’s tariff sword, India is scrambling to adjust its trade policies to accommodate his whims; in sharp contrast even tiny countries like Colombia, Argentina, and Canada are retaliating against Trump’s tariffs.
But India, a nation of over 1.4 billion people is ready to roll over and play the great American dream.
Namaste Trump. A Friendship That Was Never Real?
While we are speaking of bending over backward, let us now direct our attention to Modi’s “special bond” with Trump. Case in point, the grand “Namaste Trump” event in 2020. Millions of taxpayer rupees were spent beautifying cities, whitewashing streets, and creating a picture-perfect welcome for Trump. Security, infrastructure, the whole charade – it was a massive PR stunt. And for what? What was the long-term gain? If Modi’s relationship with Trump was so strong, then why is India now at the mercy of Trump’s policies?
Likewise, “Howdy Modi!”, another high-profile event in Texas where Modi publicly endorsed Trump for re-election. If India’s relationship with the US is transactional, then why all this drama? Why the hero worship in Indian media about how strong Modi is on the global stage? If he truly had a solid relationship with Trump, why is India not benefiting from it? Why are we the ones making concessions while Trump continues to impose tariffs and dictate terms.
Let us face it, America does not do friendships in global politics. It does interests. And India, despite all its proclamations of a ‘special relationship’ with the US, is getting a brutal lesson in realpolitik. ‘Howdy Modi’ was just a glorified PR event – an illusion that India was somehow a priority for the US. Now, with Trump back in action, India is realizing it was nothing more than a handshake for the cameras.
Where Are the 56-Inch Chest Defenders Now?
For years, Modi’s staunchest supporters have used his ‘56-inch chest’ as a metaphor for his strength, courage, and ability to stand up to world leaders. We were told he was a leader who wouldn’t be bullied, who would put India first no matter what. But here we are, watching India alter trade policies at the mere hint of Trump’s displeasure.
So, where are all the loud-mouthed TV anchors and social media warriors now? Where are the op-eds defending this sudden shift in stance? If the previous governments were criticized for being soft and spineless, what exactly would one call this behavior?
Maybe we should revise that famous phrase to – ‘56-inch when speaking, 26-inch when negotiating with Trump.’
Is India Scared or Just Playing It Safe?
The larger question is this – is India genuinely scared of Trump’s tariffs, or is this just a strategic compromise to keep America happy? While realpolitik demands pragmatism, does that always mean being the one making adjustments while the other side barely moves an inch?
Every country prioritizes its own interests. China, for instance, despite all its trade wars with the US, has managed to negotiate from a position of strength and has announced retaliatory tariffs, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, too, is pushing back; but India, seems to have perfected the art of silent submission.
Is this the foreign policy of a rising global power? If India keeps making all the compromises while the US keeps demanding more, where does this end?
What’s the Trade-Off?
One might argue that India is playing the long game, that it is adjusting its policies now to secure larger economic benefits in the future. But history has shown that once you start making concessions, more demands inevitably follow. Today it’s tariffs, tomorrow it could be defense contracts, and the day after, who knows?
This raises an uncomfortable but necessary question – does India have a real say in its relationship with the US, or is it just following orders like an obedient junior partner?
And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room – China. If India is truly serious about countering Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, wouldn’t a stronger stance on trade with the US be more strategic? Instead, it appears India is more focused on securing favors from Washington rather than asserting its own global position.
The Last Bit
At some point, India needs to decide whether it wants to be seen as a global leader or just another country that changes its policies based on who is in the White House.
Modi’s supporters, who once touted his ‘strongman’ image, need to ask themselves whether their leader is truly standing up for India or just playing politics to maintain favorable optics.
The irony is hard to ignore, when it comes to domestic matters, there’s plenty of aggression, bravado, and talk of national pride. But when it comes to dealing with the United States, it seems like all that toughness conveniently disappears.
So, the next time someone talks about India’s rising global influence or Modi’s 56-inch chest, maybe it’s worth asking – where exactly does that strength go when Trump picks up the phone?
The reality is that Modi’s government is more concerned with optics than substance. The “friendship” with Trump was nothing more than a spectacle, and the so-called “strong leadership” crumbles when faced with real global challenges.
