Trump's trip to India 2020

Trump's trip to India has brought a lot of excitement in air. American Presidents visiting India get a lot of media attention - social or otherwise. But the flamboyant nature of Trump is driving the fanfare which will put King George's opulent reception in 1911 during the British rule.

All arrangements have been made for a Rockstar's welcome. Crores have been spent on flowers and decorative. Crores more have been invested erect a fence across the road carrying his motorcade to hide India's ugly underbelly - the city's vast slums. Scores will line up the 10km (6 mile) drive on the Parkway by Donald Trump's entourage en route to inaugurate the world's largest Cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. It's another thing this honor should have gone to someone like Kapil Dev or Tendulkar rather than to the President of a nation where cricket is an insect, not a sport.

We are often critical of America being a ruthless practitioner of self interest driven foreign policy, least sensitive and caring a hoot about India's strategic interest. Yet we go overboard when US President lands on our soil. Forget about other nations, even the President of Russia, a time tested, all weather friend of India hardly gets attention anywhere close to his American counterpart. 

At the same time, the American media barely blinks when an Indian Prime Minister to the United States. But back home even our regional, vernacular channels in India leaves no stone unturned, outbidding each other to cover US President. Even our lawmakers aren't left behind in this rate race. I have seen the video of our Members of Parliament rushing towards Bill Clinton, their face glowing with salvation after shaking hands with him which will make a Putin, Xi Xing Ping or Sinzo Abe green with envy.

Will there be any tangible outcome from the trip, a la Nixon's historic visit to China - other than the perfunctory, high profile (social) media coverage ? Don't think so. Only thing predictable about Trump is his unpredictability. The man doesn't follow any standard pattern or protocol typical of American Presidents. Being overtly egoistic, arrogant and vindictive in nature he can be a foreign policy nuisance, sometimes nightmare. He might even end up embarrassing his hosts - something he is very much capable of and has a history of doing so. 

Here are a few examples. Modi's fans should note that Trump onced mocked Indian Prime Minister English accent. This has been duly noted and published in the Press. Another time during his meeting with Modi he pronounced Nepal as "Nipple" and Bhutan as "Button", considered both Nipple and Button being part of India. Modi was visibly surprised and embarrassed.

This may be blamed on Trump's lack of awareness. But he was fully aware of India's sensitivity about outside interference on the volatile Kashmir issue when he offered not once, but twice his hand to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir. That's dangerous, considering Trump's lack of grasp on international affairs, not to mention his mercurial tendency.

Trump should understand that Kashmir is no Middle East. It's no Syria, or a North Korea sitting on tinderbox. Being an astute businessman and salesman, he will bring a lot of stuff to sell, especially defense items to the table. Don't think he will give any concessions on contentious issue of H1B Visa and IT industry in his reelection year as he needs to showcase insourcing of jobs and MAGA (Make America Great Again) to the electorates at home. All politics are local. That's why Trump said earlier this week "I'm really having the big deal for later on". It seems he is here to enjoy the pomp and gaiety and the associated attention than anything.

For India the best case scenario is to attract as much Foreign investment as possible when China is reeling under the effects of Corona virus. Keeping fingers crossed, hoping for the best from Trump's maiden trip to India.