Has the beginning of India-US ties under 47th US President Donald Trump been uneven? Does this indicate that New Delhi’s relations with Washington for the next four years will not be smooth and may be a rollercoaster ride at best? How will the Narendra Modi government deal with the Trump administration despite his personal bonhomie with the US President?
All eyes were set on newly-appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio when he met Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar at the foreign office on Tuesday, a few hours after the swearing-in ceremony.
The two leaders discussed several issues, including Quad, bilateral relations, international trade, and economic issues.
Marco Rubio Flags Off Issue of ‘Irregular Immigrants’
If media reports are to be believed, Marco Rubio flagged off the issue of “irregular immigrants”, which many believe, mean illegal immigrants, in a more sophisticated and diplomatic language.
Will US Ask India To Take Back Illegal Immigrants?
The meeting took place after the US Homeland Security Department identified about 18,000 Indians living in the US as “irregular immigrants”(illegal immigrants) and wanted them to be sent back.
It also expressed the desire that India start the process of verifying them and confirming their bona fides, failing which, the US could begin the process of deportation as soon as possible.
Also Read: Will Donald Trump Force Millions Of Indians Out Of US? Shocking Details Revealed
It is important to note that on an earlier occasion, former NSA Robert O’Brien, who worked in the first term of Donald Trump, had said that it would be considered a big sign of goodwill if New Delhi offered on its own to take back such Indian immigrants.
Will Donald Trump Send 18,000 Indians Back?
Marco Rubio and S Jaishankar met hours after US President Donald Trump signed the executive orders ending the provision of giving citizenship to everyone born on US soil.
A week earlier, during the last days of the Joe Biden administration, the provisions of the H-1B Visa were amended, making it compulsory for the companies seeking the visa to specify the “job specialties” of the persons to be employed.
Also Read: Donald Trump Inauguration: Can India Leverage US, Quad To Counter China?
Earlier, the minimum salary for the people seeking the H-1B Visa was too increased, making them less competitive.
Elon Musk To Fight War Over H-1B Visa
Donald Trump said earlier that he did not want to stop the H-1B Visa as he wanted more brilliant, skilled, and better people to come to the US.
His close aide and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk, went so far as to say that he would “fight a war” for the H-1B Visa rights.
Though the newly appointed State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the meeting between the two leaders had “affirmed a shared commitment to continue strengthening the partnership” between the US and India, political observers believe Rubio indicated the thorny issue in a subtle way.
India-US To Deepen Bilateral Ties
Tammy Bruce tried to downplay the issue of “irregular immigrants” by not mentioning it. She emphasised on positive things and said, “They discussed a wide range of topics, including regional issues and opportunities to further deepen the U.S.-India relationship, in particular on critical and emerging technologies, defense cooperation, energy, and on advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
Marco Rubio Hosts Quad Foreign Ministers
The same day, a meeting of foreign ministers of all Quad member nations was also held. Attended by Jaishankar, Penny Wong of Australiaa, and Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and Marco Rubio hosted the meeting.
Known for his hardline stance against China, Rubio called the country the most “potent, dangerous and near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted”.
In a statement issued after the meeting, concern was expressed about Beijing’s growing power.
Political analysts believe the Quad meeting was designed to signal that Donald Trump had kept the strategy of countering China at the top of his foreign policy.
He called India an “ally”. This is for the first time that Washington has called New Delhi an ally, a departure from earlier stand of calling it a partner.
If reports are to be believed, the two officials also discussed bilateral trade and international economic issues. Though it is not clear if they also discussed tariffs, it is widely believed that Washington is most likely to impose at least 10% tariffs on all imports coming from all countries, including India. However, it can be harsher on China and may impose as high as 60% tariffs on some of its goods.
Analysts believe the US may be happy to improve ties with India, but it may do so on its conditions and New Delhi may have to change its stands issues and make a compromise on many, including immigration and trade.
The policymakers and the MEA mandarins may have to be more pragmatic, realistic, and open to ideas while dealing with their US counterparts.
