As he selects important personnel with hardline views on China and support for India, Donald Trump’s next government is expected to take a decidedly pro-India and anti-China position.
After Bush and Obama elevated bilateral relations to a new level, India-US relations flourished throughout Trump’s first term. Trump strengthened ties between the US and India by declaring China a competition and strategic threat. He signed two important agreements that eliminated barriers to defense cooperation and brought the Quad grouping back to life in 2017.
Rubio has a history of pushing for closer relations with India and has proposed legislation to make India a more important US ally on par with Israel and Japan. This law has clauses that prohibit Pakistan from receiving security aid if it supports terrorism against India. His emphasis on limiting China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific area is consistent with the Trump administration’s overarching geopolitical objectives.
Rubio has long been a prominent supporter of a more robust China policy in Congress. In 2020, he was sanctioned by China for his backing of Hong Kong democracy protesters, which might make him the first secretary of state to face active travel restrictions from China.
Rubio is known as a “China hawk” because of his confrontational stance toward China. He has advocated for policies including penalties and restrictions on Chinese tech companies like Huawei, arguing that China poses a serious danger to US military and economic dominance. Rubio also advocated for an examination of TikTok’s possible security threats because of its connections to China.
Mike Waltz is a strong supporter of India and ought to be the next NSA.
As co-chair of the House of Representatives’ India Caucus, Waltz has been an outspoken advocate for strengthening defense cooperation between the United States and India and lowering dependency on China. With his nomination, measures that support India’s strategic objectives and put pressure on Pakistan over its relations with China would continue.
As the leader of the India Caucus, he has pushed for closer defense and security ties between the United States and India.
He has long advocated for lessening American reliance on Chinese manufacturing and bolstering US technology, and he has criticized China’s trade and economic policies.
Lighthizer, who is well-known for his involvement in the trade disputes throughout Trump’s first term, is anticipated to concentrate on lowering reliance on China and enhancing India’s economic relations.
The following appointments point to a major change in US foreign policy toward South Asia:
Since US officials are skeptical of Islamabad’s ties with Beijing, the next administration’s strategy is likely to place a higher priority on containing China’s influence in the area, which might escalate tensions with Pakistan.
As a key ally in preserving regional security in the face of Chinese expansionism, the government is anticipated to strengthen its defense and commercial relations with India.
Given that members of Trump’s staff have expressed disapproval of Pakistan’s policies, Islamabad might come under further pressure to stop arming militant organizations and reconsider its strategic alliance with China.
By strengthening ties with India, taking a more assertive posture against China, and reducing backing for Pakistan, Trump’s choices demonstrate a clear desire to change US foreign policy in South Asia.
