"Modi Must Be Careful, Trump's an Ignoramus" I Jeffrey Sachs on India, U.S, China, Russia I Barkha

In a recent conversation with economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs, they stressed that India has to be very careful in the wake of the erratic comments by former United States President Donald Trump. After Trump called on the EU to impose tariffs on India and China 100% earlier, he later announced new trade talks between India and the U.S., which was confusing. Sachs contended that the U.S. political system is unpredictable, protectionist, and operates in narrow interests instead of India’s long-term benefit. He cautioned against India getting flattered by Trump or the shallow words around strategic friendship.

Sachs pointed out that India cannot depend on the U.S. to defend it from China or Pakistan, and referred to past connections between the U.S. and Pakistan. He advised India to seek multipolarity and strategic autonomy, as well as cooperation with China instead of treating it as an enemy. On trade, Sachs advised India to expand its economic relations and steer towards Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa by participating in regional initiatives like RCEP to increase growth and technology reach. He underscored the need for sound domestic policies, including in education, to sustain India's long-term growth. Finally, Sachs counselled India to focus on stable long-term strategies instead of reacting to the erratic behavior of U.S. leadership.