Trump’s Trade Reset with China Sparks Concern for India’s Role

Joining Barkha Dutt on Mojo Story were columnist Tavleen Singh, and veteran diplomats Ambassador Gurjit Singh and Ambassador Dilip Sinha, who dissected the implications of this sudden “G2” revival. Tavleen Singh argued that Trump’s transactional diplomacy leaves India vulnerable, as New Delhi risks “falling off America’s map” amid U.S.-China trade deals.

Ambassador Sinha noted that Trump’s focus on immediate economic wins, such as rare-earth deals and soybean imports, reflects a world where old alliances matter less than bilateral bargains. He warned that India must adapt to this “Trumpian world” by redefining its approach — focusing on interests over ideology. Ambassador Gurjit Singh emphasized that India’s limited leverage demands a pragmatic strategy centered on mutual trade benefits rather than traditional diplomacy.

As Barkha Dutt concluded, the evolving U.S.-China dynamic underscores a new power play where India must chart its own course, guided by national interest, flexibility, and realism. The message from the panel was clear — in a world of shifting loyalties, India must balance engagement with both Washington and Beijing without losing sight of its economic priorities.