Dynamic duo-Trump & Modi-have a vision for global peace and prosperity: Dr Chandra

Highlighting the growing geopolitical influence of Modi and Trump, who are seen as reshaping the world order, with a shared focus on diplomacy and peace, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra stresses that Trump’s stance on Ukraine and Gaza echoes Modi’s philosophy of resolving conflicts through dialogue rather than war. He further says that despite this alignment, concerns arise over Trump’s unpredictability and short-term decisionmaking, which could create differences, particularly on issues like business, immigration, and tariffs. Trump’s foreign policy will likely favour India, especially in the context of fighting terrorism, with a stronger focus on action against Khalistani groups operating in Canada. However, Trump’s policies towards Pakistan and Bangladesh will be influenced by India’s interests. Trump’s support for Hindus in Bangladesh, as well as his policy towards smaller nations like Bangladesh and Canada, signals a shift in U.S. strategy. Ultimately, while their rapport is strong, long-term coordination between Modi and Trump may face challenges. Excerpts...

• The headline of today’s JC Show is “Trump-Modi reshape the World Order.” What does it mean?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: Of course, Modi and Trump are the two most powerful individuals on the planet at the moment. They are certainly going to reshape the world order and dominate the geopolitical order. The biggest challenge facing the world, or Trump himself, is to prevent a third world war, in which the United States is the largest party. Given the situation in Ukraine and Israel, America has a significant responsibility. Narendra Modi has already said that the solution is on the table through dialogue and diplomacy, not war. Mohan Bhagwat today warned of a third world war, stating that the world is looking to India with hope. He is endorsing Narendra Modi’s contribution and his theory of bringing solutions to the table through dialogue, not war. Fortunately, this stance is also shared by the U.S. President. He has stated that if he were president, the situation would be handled properly—he would not have allowed Russia to attack Ukraine. He said, “If I were president, I wouldn’t have allowed Russia to attack Ukraine. I would not let my people die, nor Ukrainians or Russians. We need a solution through dialogue.” This is the biggest development in geopolitics today: Modi and Trump aligned, working to stop the war. The immediate challenge is preventing a third world war, followed by addressing political empowerment and redefining bilateral agreements.. I believe these two leaders will reshape the world order by sidestepping China and gaining Putin’s confidence. Trump’s victory in the US will benefit Putin. Let’s hope for the best.

• Political observers believe that celebrating Trump’s return might be premature. Do you think the same?
  I agree with this. That’s why I say India should not put all its eggs in one basket. The reason is that Trump is essentially a businessman, a deal-maker, a transaction man. He is unpredictable; he thinks about America’s benefit in every situation. Wherever there’s an advantage for the U.S., he will go there. If there’s a benefit in aligning with China, he will do so. If there’s a benefit in aligning with Russia, he will do that too. If there’s a benefit in aligning with India, he will do that as well. Trump lacks a focus on long-term planning and tends to make short-term, on-thespot decisions, which is a flaw. Many Indians believe that the strong personal rapport between Trump and Modi will solve all issues, but personal relationships and political interests are different. We’ll need to see how much this personal bond can influence decisions in our favour, though for now, we should remain hopeful.
  One thing is certain, though: Trump has his limitations, and Modi is a master of diplomacy. Modi has been working within these limitations since 2016, and even today, the praises that are being sung for Modi today were being sung in 2016 as well. Modi knows how to handle these people.

• What will Trump’s foreign policy look like regarding India?
  His foreign policy seems to align with Modi’s theory. Modi previously said that the reality of life is that war is not the solution, but dialogue and diplomacy are. Surprisingly, Trump has used the same language. He said, “I will not allow Ukrainians or Russians to die. If I were president, I would resolve this within 24 hours.” His foreign policy is based on peace, not war. It is focused on development, much like Modi’s. This is a very positive sign. In the future, his basic policy will be based on peace. But there are two challenges ahead for him: Ukraine and Gaza. I have read that Trump plans to propose a peace plan before taking office. He suggests creating an 800 km buffer zone, ceasefire where the armies are, and freezing NATO membership for Ukraine for 20 years. The key question is whether Ukraine’s president will accept this. As for Gaza and the Israel-Iran issue, Trump is likely to address them as well. His challenge lies in seeing himself as the world’s president, which may not align with Israel or Ukraine’s views. These are long-term issues, not easily resolved. Trump is exercising authority beyond his jurisdiction and facing the “China wall.” There’s global anxiety over U.S. actions, but the positive is that Trump’s foreign policy is peace-based, not wardriven.

• Will there be any conflict or difference of opinion between Trump’s “America First” and Modi’s “India First” policies?
  There will be differences of opinion, but they will primarily be in the business arena. I’ve said before that visa and immigration issues might come into play, but not necessarily on a national level. One person recently wrote that India should strengthen its policy and tackle illegal immigration on its own. Modi may not directly address illegal immigration, but he will certainly talk about other issues, such as tariffs, visas, and business matters. Hopefully, a solution will emerge because both Trump and Modi understand each other’s positions. But there may still be limits to coordination. Modi is not someone who can be bent beyond a certain point. While differences may exist, the strong personal chemistry between Modi and Trump will prevent major confrontations. There may be uncomfortable moments, but they will likely be resolved. The main issues will focus on visas, tariffs, and business.

• Despite Trump’s criminal background and controversial image, why did a decent, dignified figure like Kamala Harris lose the election?
  Trump will be the first president with a criminal background. He narrowly escaped impeachment twice. He’s very lucky! He was accused of inciting violence on Capitol Hill. The impeachment proposal failed by just six votes. There were also accusations of him taking White House files home— in fact, more than 100 files. There will be a hearing on this case on November 26. Whether the case continues or not, the Senate holds a majority, and it will drop any impeachment proceedings.
  He is lucky, but he certainly has a criminal background. As for Kamala Harris, the biggest reason she lost lies in her horoscope.
  Her birth chart suggested she wouldn’t become president. Kamala was considered a symbol of change, but the plans she proposed didn’t show any real transformation. The American people didn’t want Biden to continue in power for another four years. Trump’s victory is tied to Kamala’s loss, but Kamala’s fate is that she got ahead only to fall behind.

• What will be Trump’s top policy announcements after taking office on January 20?
  His first statement will likely be about making America great again. He will say, “We’ll bring back America as a great country. We’ll make America safe, strong, powerful, and prosperous.” He has already told the Ukrainian president that he won’t send money or soldiers. He will only offer moral support. He urges them to agree and end the war quickly. Trump has also spoken to Putin, advising him similarly. The reason is that Trump is in a hurry. He wants to resolve all issues within 5-10 days before fully taking over.

• Do you think Trump and Modi will be able to advance their anti-terror agendas further now?
  With Trump in office, the anti-terror agenda will definitely gain strength. Previously, the U.S. didn’t push forward this agenda with same will. But with Trump, the ‘will’ will be strong. The biggest beneficiary of this anti-terror agenda will be India, especially in Kashmir. India and the U.S. have both been victims of terrorism over the last 20 years.
  India and the U.S. will work together to combat terrorism, particularly Pakistan’s involvement in Kashmir. This partnership will benefit India in fight against terrorism.

• What will America’s foreign policy towards Pakistan be? Is there any possibility of Imran Khan’s release?
  Pakistan is no longer a key player in U.S. foreign policy. Trump knows Pakistan’s current situation well. His sympathy has been with Imran Khan, but the relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. is now largely influenced by India. How can America do business with Pakistan if it angers India? Trump has previously stopped military aid to Pakistan. Trump’s return means no benefits for Pakistan. As for Imran Khan’s release, it’s too soon to say. But Pakistan is no longer a threat to India.

• Will Modi be motivated at 78 years of age to seek a fourth term as Prime Minister?
  Modi is, by nature, a prime minister. If he wants, he can even become president. Modi will remain at the top of the nation. People might speculate that Trump will become president at the age of 78, but people are hopeful that Modi will continue as PM in 2029.

• During his election campaign, Trump expressed concern about the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh. What was the political message behind that? What will Trump’s policy towards Bangladesh be now? Is there a possibility of Sheikh Hasina’s return to Dhaka?
  The political message here is that it was a smart move. I believe Narendra Modi must have discussed something with him because Trump typically wouldn’t bring up the issue of Hindus out of nowhere. You might recall that Modi once mentioned that this time the Trump administration would be in power, which shows there was some understanding or communication between them. Trump made a statement condemning the severe atrocities, brutal killings, and violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. He also took a dig at Biden, saying he failed to protect Hindus anywhere. He said, “We will protect Hindus in America.” This was a way of playing the Hindu card. In the US, the significant Hindu vote may have helped swing support towards Trump, who strategically played to this base. The tragedy, however, is that the very Hindus he appealed to could end up suffering under his policies, particularly in areas like immigration, migration, tariffs, and business regulations.
  Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, reports indicate that people displaying saffron flags at their homes are being arrested, and temples are being destroyed under police oversight. Processions held in protest have also led to arrests.

• This is why Modi and Mohan Bhagwat recently raised concerns about the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. Trump’s concern for the Hindu community is a positive development, and it will have an impact globally.
  Regarding the second question, it usually happens that the successor overturns the actions of their predecessor, to some extent, psychologically. It is believed that Biden played a role in the removal of Sheikh Hasina. Trump may have some sympathy for Hasina in the broader context, as Modi’s influence in Bangladesh will play a role. Bangladeshi government will likely align with India’s interests, given Modi’s close ties to Trump. In smaller countries, political dynamics can shift quickly; for example, in Pakistan, generals often hold more sway than Supreme Court. Similarly, in Bangladesh, situation remains chaotic. While Hasina’s return might eventually happen, it may take time and could be part of Trump’s agenda, though not immediately.

• Given the tense relations between India and Canada, what will Trump’s policy towards Canada be?
  Trump’s policy towards Canada will likely be pro-India to some extent—not necessarily against Canada, but he will certainly use his moral authority to encourage Canada to behave in a way that is more aligned with Modi’s interests. In the broader geopolitical context, the U.S. is likely to urge Canada to take action against Khalistani terrorists operating there, with government support that must end. Interestingly, just 48 hours after Trump’s victory, Canadian police arrested Khalistani terrorist Arsh Dalal in a murder case, who had recently appointed his successor. Two people from Chandigarh were also arrested. Canada has started taking action against Khalistani terrorists. This can be seen as a moral victory for Narendra Modi or, to some extent, the moral influence of Trump’s arrival. Trump’s victory is in favour of India.

During the show #JConModiTrumpWorldOrder trended top All-India on X