The most crucial event in the Narendra Modi’s foreign policy will be his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump later this month. Although Trump has said that he will have good relations with foreign countries, that necessarily has to be selective with his focus being on America for Americans. Although a cloud has gathered over Indian job opportunities in India and the US, especially with the ban on the H-1B visas, the Indian government does not seem to be on an altogether sticky wicket. Of course, Delhi has to view the twists and turns in US foreign policy with apprehension. Trump has reset relations with NATO, pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Accord putting India in an unfavourable light, subverted the Trans – Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement and taken to social media to speak out on the trade deficit between Germany and the US. Modi has something in common with Trump -the personal touch. Both of them have a clear vision of national objectives overriding a global view. Modi will do well to put a new impetus in Indo-US relations when he meets Trump face to face. Modi can add a new chapter to predecessor Atal Behari Vajpayee’s vision document.
Continuity in India-US relations with Trump taking over from Barack Obama is not possible. But there is continuity on one issue – the war on terrorism. Delhi may not go with Washington in condemning Tehran and eulogising Riyadh. But both are staunchly against the IS. Trump has already trotted out a tough line on Pakistan – sponsored terrorism. His analysts have spoken against the China – sponsored one belt, one road (OBOR). Modi must extract maximum mileage out of points of accord instead of focusing on the points of discord.