As Donald Trump’s second term is set to begin, the US-India relations remain a priority with a focus on countering China’s influence and expanding bilateral partnerships in key areas like defense, trade and technology.
Washington: With Donald Trump returning as the 47th US President, diplomatic parleys entered a crucial phase as the President-elect began picking his key aides thick and fast before the swearing-in ceremony on January 20. A picture of what a Trump 2.0 would look like is now emerging.
Trump won the presidential election with 312 of the 538 Electoral College votes, as well as a majority of the popular votes. Having control of both Congress chambers will give Trump an edge in moving through legislation and the budget.
What should come as a cheer for India is that two of the top officials are pro-India and hawkish on China. They are Mike Waltz, who has been picked as the National Security Advisor (NSA), and Marco Rubio, who is all set to be named the Secretary of State.
Waltz, a vocal China hawk and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional India Caucus, has been named by Trump to serve as the NSA. Waltz has long advocated for deeper defense and security co-operation between the US and India, and his appointment suggests a continued strong focus on strengthening these ties, especially in defense. Waltz has consistently emphasized the importance of India in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
He has also been critical of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which aligns with India's own geopolitical concerns. Like Waltz, Rubio is known for his hawkish approach to China and his support for India. In 2023, he introduced the US-India Defense Co-operation Act, which aims to deepen bilateral security ties in response to China's aggressive actions in the region. Rubio’s diplomatic experience and strong support for India will likely ensure that US-India relations continue to flourish under Trump’s second term.
Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor and Army National Guard veteran, has been chosen as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth is known for his tough stance on military readiness and his belief in an "America First" approach. His experience and leadership are expected to strengthen the US military and align with Trump’s broader defense priorities.
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan has been named as the "Border Czar" in Trump’s second term, overseeing all aspects of US border security, including the Southern, Northern, Maritime, and Aviation borders. Known for his hardline stance on immigration, Homan’s appointment signals Trump’s continued focus on securing US borders and implementing stricter immigration policies.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been selected to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Known for her conservative values, Noem’s appointment signals Trump’s ongoing commitment to securing the US’s borders and enforcing stricter immigration policies. Former Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, has been named CIA Director. Ratcliffe is a staunch critic of China, and his appointment will likely continue the Trump administration’s hardline stance against Chinese influence.
Trump has appointed William McGinley as White House Counsel. McGinley’s extensive experience as a top GOP lawyer and his previous role as Trump’s cabinet secretary will ensure the White House remains well-guided on policy, ethics, and legal matters. Trump has nominated Matt Gaetz, a Republican Congressman from Florida as his pick for the next Attorney General with the task of ending the partisan weaponizing of the Justice Department.
In an unconventional move, Trump announced the creation of a new agency, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), co-headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-American biotech entrepreneur. This new department aims to streamline government operations, potentially reducing bureaucratic hurdles for both US and Indian businesses.
The US President-elect has also nominated Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat member of Congress, to his cabinet as the Director of National Intelligence. "Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength," Trump said on Truth Social.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has been selected as ambassador to Israel. A staunch defender of Israel, Huckabee is expected to strengthen US-Israel relations amidst ongoing conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Terror risk from Canada worries Trump’s 'border czar'Washington: As India-Canada diplomatic ties reach a new low, Tom Homan, the 'border czar' picked by Trump, has highlighted the risk associated with Canada borders, saying the fear looms that the terrorists could slip into the US from Canada. Homan, named as the official in charge of all US border issues, said in a television interview that he expects there will be "tough conversations" with Ottawa about the situation along the Canada-US border. "The problem with the northern border is a huge national security issue. ‘Special interest aliens’ — individuals from countries the US says sponsor terror — use Canada as a gateway into the US. Because they know, (there’s) a lot less, fewer officers here. It’s one of the things I'll tackle when I'm in the White House,” Homan told 7News. The US Border Patrol has reported a sharp increase in illegal border crossings along the northern border, particularly in the Swanton Sector, which covers parts of Vermont and New York. In the past year, over 19,000 individuals from 97 countries were apprehended, exceeding the total number of arrests over the previous 17 years, according to reports. Tightening northern border security would be a priority for the incoming administration, with a particular focus on rising human smuggling activity and irregular crossings from Canada, said Homan. |
