Donald Trump’s unilateral policies signal a shift toward a "rogue superpower" U.S., posing key diplomatic challenges and strategic recalibrations for India.

Rise of American Unilateralism under Trump

• Rejection of Traditional Multilateralism: Trump's approach moves away from global leadership toward transactional nationalism, rejecting institutions like WTO and bypassing global trade norms in favour of selective bilateral deals.
• Structural Advantages Fueling Unilateralism: The U.S. has demographic resilience, energy sufficiency, and technological superiority, which allow it to operate independently of traditional allies and reshape supply chains through reshoring and automation.
• Political Backing from MAGA Coalition: Trump’s domestic political base supports protectionism, reduced military commitments abroad, and aggressive immigration control, fundamentally altering the nature of U.S. international engagement.

Strategic Impact on India-U.S. Bilateral Engagement

• India Navigates Tariff and Trade Pressures: India is classified in the "deal-making" category, actively negotiating trade agreements while managing the pressures of U.S. tariff policies and potential designations.
• Pragmatic Handling of Immigration and Alliances: Despite Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric, India has maintained its composure and continued cooperation in key sectors, understanding the difference between White House posturing and institutional stability.
• Diversification of Strategic Engagement: India’s strategic outreach through BRICS, SCO, and bilateral partnerships serves as a hedge against American unpredictability, even as Delhi balances ties with Washington on trade, defense, and geopolitics.

Need for Intellectual Realignment in India's U.S. Policy

• Inadequate Understanding of U.S. Political Shifts: Indian strategic circles often underestimate the systemic changes occurring in U.S. domestic politics and their effect on foreign policy direction and alliance structures.
• Need for New Channels of U.S. Engagement: India must broaden its base of engagement beyond the traditional liberal policy circles in the U.S. to include voices aligned with evolving political realities like MAGA priorities.
• Institutionalizing Study of Contemporary America: Delhi should invest in long-term research and academic focus on American politics, economics, and society to formulate adaptive foreign policy strategies amidst changing U.S. global behavior.

Practice Question:

The rise of American unilateralism under recent administrations has challenged the post-WWII global order. Critically evaluate how India’s foreign policy must adapt to the structural and ideological shifts in U.S. domestic politics.    (250 words)