1st August, 2025
Today, newspapers are flooded with a tongue-in-cheek statement by President Trump, calling India a "dead economy." Are such remarks impulsive outbursts, or are they calculated moves in diplomacy with long-term implications? Wasn’t it the same person who, until recently, was full of praise for the Indian economy? Were we not celebrated for being the 5th largest economy in the world, with projections to surpass a few more nations soon?
U-turns and knee-jerk reactions are perhaps best avoided in matters of foreign policy. Every word uttered by global leaders carries long-term ramifications. Such statements provoke strong emotional reactions among the citizens of the targeted country, especially for Indians when they come in the context of aligning with a nation like Pakistan, widely recognized as a breeding ground for terrorism, currently grappling with internal unrest and teetering on the brink of economic collapse.
It is, therefore, difficult to believe that this statement was politically sanctioned or diplomatically vetted before being made public.
Another striking aspect is that such a statement comes from the head of a nation whose economy significantly benefits from the contributions of the Indian diaspora. Whether in Silicon Valley, multinational corporations, medicine, hospitality, academia, R&D, or other sectors, the Indian community’s impact is undeniable.
Consider how Israel remains relatively immune to external pressure due to the unwavering loyalty of the Jewish diaspora. Now imagine if the Indian diaspora were to emotionally react to such callous and casual remarks, and start questioning their contributions in building US economy. It would certainly not bode well for the United States.
I may not be an expert in international affairs, but I do know this much that statements like these leave a bitter aftertaste.
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