Trump Woos Modi With a Charm Offensive

How did the Modi-Trump meeting in Evian on June 17 go? Was it, as some commentators insist, more about Donald Trump’s jokes and asides which should be weighed against actual actions of his administration? Was it about Modi’s emphasis on the safety of Indian seafarers? Or is Trump’s reiteration that he ended “eight wars” and decisions like removing “Indo” from the US Pacific command a more relevant context to the interaction between the two leaders?

To begin with it is worth noting that Trump did all the talking with the media. Noticeably he sought out Indian reporters and used the opportunity to expansively expound on his relationship with Modi. He skirted a question on whether US sanctions on Russian oil will be reimposed and chose to concentrate on extolling his personal chemistry with Modi with the two leaders holding and shaking hands on a couple of occasions. Trump was on a charm offensive.

Trump’s relations with G 7 Leaders

It is worth considering that Trump’s meetings do not always go well. The list of leaders he scrapped with or run down before the media is long and distinguished. It includes treaty ally British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and all leaders of the G7 countries. He has at times been scathing in their presence leaving them scrambling for cover as they tried to get out of the firing line with dignity intact. Despite the Prime Minister’s steadfast refusal to endorse Trump’s claims to a Nobel prize for ending various wars, the US President has not lashed out at Modi.

It was almost exactly a year ago that Modi told Trump during a tense phone call that there had been no mediation in ending the May 7-10 hostilities between India and Pakistan. It was Pakistan that picked the phone to seek a ceasefire.

A US media outlet referred to Trump’s declaration that he would not let anyone “attack” Modi as a jocular reference. This was read by some commentators to mean that not much be read into Trump’s comments. They are missing the point. Trump latched onto a fairly routine question on India-US defence relations – he barely allowed the journalist to complete his query -- to stress his relationship with Modi, saying “It’s a great relationship. We don’t have a contract. But if they were attacked, we will help them. If anybody attacks that man, we will help.” He emphasized the point with hand clasp.

Praise for Modi

Trump used every question on India to turn to Modi. “He has been my friend for a long time now and its great to be with you,” he said in his opening remarks. A question on trade was met with more praise. “He is a very tough negotiator. So, you look at this man and I will give you a lesson. He is a beautiful looking man but he is tough, he is a killer. So, he gets you by surprise,” Trump said. He has spoken of Modi being a “tough” negotiator before too but the comments came at a meeting between the two leaders after a gap of 16 months.

Trump continued to intersperse comments with references to Modi. “He loves Indian people, he loves US,” he said. He recalled the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston in his first term and spoke about going to India “sometime in the future” and then joked about Indian reporters being “better than mine.” The Indian correspondent though had a tough question about how Trump would reassure the Indian people in the light of unpopular decisions by his administration regarding India. “As long as I am President they have a great friend in the White House,” he said.

Evasive on Russian Sanctions

Trump was evasive on the likelihood of renewal of sanctions on Russia. “We are looking at that…we are seeing how far the price of oil comes down,” he said, adding that Iran would now be “without a nuclear weapon,” a hint that Iranian oil may become kosher again soon. He said there was a big buy in on the peace deal with Iran and again turned to Modi, saying “This gentleman came, that is a big “get” I think.”

He was careful in responding to a question of the deaths of Indian sea crew in American strikes to enforce the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. “It’s a rough profession no question about that. We will work together,” he said. It was almost as he knew that the issue of the deaths of the Indian seamen was politically sensitive for Modi and answered it with surprising delicacy.

Self Help is the best policy

It’s a fair point to consider how much of Trump’s apparent bonhomie be taken at face value. His pursuit of “America First” can mean there will be bumps with issues like H1B visa mobility hurting Indians the most. The hate attacks on Indian Americans, including people born and educated in the US, is deeply worrying. The transactional side of Trump always raises concerns over whether he will stay the course in opposing China’s hegemonistic claims and military bullying.

It was interesting to note that his effusive compliments to Modi did not go down well with some MAGA handles on X. Nothing that Trump says or does can diminish the need for India to protect its own interests. Trump perhaps respects that.