India is Not as Powerful as China and Russia | This is what Trump thinks??

Summary

In this video, Prashant Dhawan discusses the shifting dynamics of US-India relations under Donald Trump's leadership, highlighting insights from former Indian National Security Advisors (NSAs) like M.K. Narayanan. He critiques Trump's 'cold realism' approach, emphasizing that Trump views countries like India through a pragmatic lens, prioritizing benefits over ideology. The video explores India's foreign policy stance, its hesitancy with alliances like the Quad, and the need for a more decisive direction. Additionally, the video promotes a Data Science and Machine Learning course as a career opportunity, particularly for working professionals aiming for better job prospects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trump’s foreign policy has surprised many in India, especially with his perceived pro-Pakistan stance and the shifting dynamics in India-US relations.
• 😀 India’s former National Security Advisors (NSAs) are offering insightful analyses of Trump’s approach, with a focus on how the US views India differently from China and Russia.
• 😀 M.K. Narayanan, former NSA, argues that Trump’s foreign policy is based on 'cold realism', focusing on what benefits the US can gain from its relationships rather than ideological concerns.
• 😀 Realism, as Trump practices it, disregards human rights, democracy, and environmental issues in favor of strategic gains and economic advantages.
• 😀 Trump does not view India as a major global power on the same level as China or Russia, instead placing it in a lower category, closer to countries like Pakistan.
• 😀 Pakistan is seen as more beneficial to the US, with its strategic location, intelligence cooperation, and offers of rare earth minerals.
• 😀 India’s reluctance to fully align with the US, especially in areas like the Quad, has led to a cooling in the strength of the relationship under Trump’s leadership.
• 😀 The hesitation of India to take stronger positions on issues like military involvement in the Quad is seen as a disadvantage in terms of cementing stronger ties with the US.
• 😀 Narayanan suggests that India will have to make a big decision on its foreign policy, moving away from multi-alignment towards a clearer stance with one side, possibly favoring a closer relationship with the US.
• 😀 The US’s current approach, under Trump, may shift in the coming years, especially if China escalates tensions (e.g., attacking Taiwan), which could push India closer into the US fold.

Q & A

What has been one of the biggest surprises in India's foreign policy in recent months?

One of the biggest surprises in India's foreign policy has been Donald Trump's strategy, especially his approach to US-India relations, which many geopolitical analysts expected to strengthen but have not.

How do former National Security Advisors (NSAs) view Donald Trump's approach to India?

Former NSAs, such as M.K. Narayanan, suggest that Donald Trump's approach to India is driven by 'cold realism,' meaning that he focuses solely on the benefits that the US can gain, rather than ideological factors.

What is the key difference between idealism and realism in foreign policy as described in the transcript?

Idealism emphasizes issues like human rights and democracy above everything else, while realism, as described by the former NSA, focuses on tangible benefits and strategic advantages without considering ideological factors.

How does Trump view India in comparison to China and Russia?

Trump does not view India as being in the same league as China and Russia. He places India in a lower category, closer to countries like Pakistan, seeing less distinction between India and Pakistan in terms of strategic offerings to the US.

Why does Trump seem to favor Pakistan over India, according to M.K. Narayanan?

Trump seems to favor Pakistan because of its strategic position, including proximity to Iran, the use of its air bases, and the potential for collaboration on rare earth minerals, which makes Pakistan a more appealing partner to the US compared to India.

What is India's stance on the Quad, and how does it differ from US expectations?

India has expressed hesitations about the Quad, particularly regarding its military angle, while the US, under Trump, wants to take the Quad to the next level, including a stronger military focus, which India is reluctant to fully embrace.

What does the concept of 'multi-alignment' mean for India, and why might it be problematic?

Multi-alignment refers to India's approach of maintaining diplomatic relations with multiple powers, such as Russia, the US, and others. However, this policy might not suit India in the long term, as it prevents the country from fully committing to one side, potentially limiting its benefits.

How could India's foreign policy change in the future to better align with US interests?

India might need to make a more decisive choice about its alliances, especially with the US, by taking a clearer side rather than trying to balance multiple relationships, which could open up more strategic advantages, particularly in relation to the Quad and US interests.

What is the predicted shift in US foreign policy if China expands further or attacks Taiwan?

If China expands its influence or attacks Taiwan, the US will likely need India more, which could push India into a more significant role in global security and strengthen its relationship with the US, particularly regarding the Quad.

Why is there a growing demand for data scientists in India, and how does this relate to the current global economy?

The demand for data scientists in India is increasing due to the global economy becoming increasingly data-driven. Companies need data scientists to analyze and utilize large datasets to make informed decisions, making data science a critical skill in today's job market.