Indian Prime Minister Modi posted today: "It was a pleasure today to speak with my dear friend President Trump. I am delighted to learn that the tariff on Indian-made products will be reduced to 18%. I sincerely thank President Trump on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians for this favorable news."
When two large economies and the world's largest democracy work together, it will benefit our people and unleash great opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
President Trump's leadership is crucial for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace.
I look forward to closely cooperating with him to elevate our relationship to unprecedented heights."
Comment: Modi's statement is a typical example of "pragmatic compromise and political courtesy under interest exchange": On the surface, he expresses gratitude to Trump for reducing the tariff on Indian goods exported to the US to 18%, but in reality, India has sacrificed its oil from Russia, expanded purchases of American goods, and ceded market access, in exchange for a breathing space for exports to the US (which account for one-fifth of India's total exports). The so-called "sincere thanks on behalf of 1.4 billion people" seems more like a "favorable packaging" for domestic industries and people under pressure; the two sides' claim of "the world's largest democracy working together" actually means that the US wants to bind India into the camp of "containing Russia and countering China," consolidating its hegemony in the Indo-Pacific, while India aims to gain technology and international status by relying on the US. It appears mutually beneficial, but in fact, it is completely unequal, with the US holding the dominant power over rules, and India being forced to make concessions. Modi's praise of Trump's leadership and his commitment to support his peace efforts are both an adaptation to Trump's "interest-first" style and a reluctant concession by India in its pursuit of great power status. This so-called "close cooperation" hides significant risks - India's energy security is tied to the US, its financial burden is increased, and short-term tariff benefits cannot hide long-term loss of sovereignty and interests. Ultimately, it is a one-win situation dominated by the US, with India merely a temporary compromiser who solves an urgent problem but plants more hidden dangers.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856075032195075/
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