Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan Make India Great Again (MIGA) set to tune with US President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) may sound like a rap jingle. But scratch the surface and it’s clear that America will strike a hard bargain when it comes to tariffs and trade relationships with its allies, who this administration believes are taking advantage of its largesse since World War II.

The Indian PM may have softened some blows of Trump’s impending tariffs by offering concessions like buying more American oil and fifth generation fighter jets like the F-35. The hugs and handshake came in handy during Modi’s warm meeting with Trump at the White House, then the Indian PM realises that Trump is a tough negotiator and stronger bargainer during his second term in office.

The American President knows the ropes: he’s been there, done that, and now, with a larger mandate, is itching to give it back to both friends and foes alike for allegedly taking America for a ride over the decades and handing it to China on a platter that produces more cheaper, exports more and threatens American dominance of the global order.

Team Modi may have placated the Trump administration in the short term but realises the unpredictability of the US President is his strength while his brand of transactional diplomacy is upending world politics.

In the Middle East, Trump appears to be throwing the Palestine cause and Gaza under the bus; in Europe, Ukraine will have to eventually keel if Trump makes a deal with Russian President Putin to carve out Ukraine, as Europe watches the Russian bear rising in its backyard.

The Indian Prime Minister is aware that with hostile neighbours like China, Pakistan, and now Bangladesh, a grand alliance with the US is in New Delhi’s strategic and military interests. Trump is hitting the right notes with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, and a US-Russia partnership could spell some relief for New Delhi to counter the Chinese threat on its long border in the Himalayas.

India, meanwhile, is making an impact in a divided Europe by forging stronger partnerships with France and Italy who are emerging as dominant and independent voices in the region. In the Middle East, New Delhi continues to cultivate and nurture its relationships with the GCC states and Israel.

New Delhi is playing the long game and understands that a few trade and immigration concessions to Washington could go a long way in firming up on its geopolitical goals while Modi works on Making India Great Again by making more at home.

MIGA-MAGA has a nice ring to it after all. – editor@nrifocus.com