News Feed | 14 Jan 2025

THE HINDU HIGHLIGHTS | 14 JAN 2025

The Trump card, global politics and outcomes for India

• Donald Trump's distinctive leadership style is characterized by bold speaking, deal-making focus, and real
estate background, setting him apart from previous presidents as a polarizing figure who positions himself
as the voice of common people against the political establishment.

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• Trump's 'America First' doctrine rejects multilateralism in global politics, showing preference for bilateral
agreements over multilateral ones, as evidenced by his previous withdrawal from the Paris Climate
Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

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• The Trumpian worldview emphasizes practical outcomes through strong personal branding, risk-taking,
and unconventional deal-making, while being dismissive of international institutions like the UN and NATO,
claiming they benefit other nations at America's expense.

• Trump's MAGA (Make America Great Again) policy is expected to increase global protectionism, escalate
tariffs and trade wars, and create economic uncertainty, particularly affecting Indo-Pacific stability
through intensified competition with China.

• American isolationism under MAGA could empower China and Russia, who are united in their opposition to
U.S. influence, to expand their global footprint through economic and military means.
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• India-U.S. relations under a second Trump presidency are expected to continue evolving positively,
supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump's warm friendship, particularly in countering
China's assertiveness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

• The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising the U.S., Australia, India, and Japan, is likely to be
strengthened to counter Chinese influence, though India maintains caution about over-reliance on
America to ensure its strategic autonomy.

• India's strategic priorities include border security, military modernization, counterterrorism efforts,
economic growth, energy security, and maintaining stable relationships with key energy suppliers.

• India's partnerships with Japan, Australia, the European Union, and ASEAN countries are crucial for
balancing China's rise, accessing key technologies, ensuring defense preparedness, and promoting trade
and economic development.

• India's strategic future depends on digital transformation, space exploration, artificial intelligence,
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cybersecurity infrastructure, and resilience against cyber threats, while maintaining its relationship with
Russia as a counterweight to the Sino-Russian alignment.

• The emergence of a 'G-Zero world', as noted by analyst Ian Bremmer, suggests that established patterns
of history and geopolitics may no longer serve as guides, leading to a more disruptive, polarized, and
unstable global order.

Related Mains PYQs

UPSC 2019

What introduces friction into the ties between India and United States is that Washington is still unable to find
for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s national self-esteem and ambitions.
Explain with suitable examples.

Related Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2002

India has the maximum volume of foreign trade with

A. USA
B. Japan

C. Germany

D. UAE

UPSC 2011

With reference to look east policy of India, consider the following statements? 1. India wants to establish itself
as an important regional player in the east Asian regional player in the east Asian affairs. 2. India wants to
plug the vacuum created by the termination of cold war. 3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural
ties with its neighbors in southeast and east Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only.

B. 1 and 3 only.

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C. 3 only.

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D. 1,2 and 3.

UPSC 2011

The "New START" treaty was in the news. What is this treaty?

A. It is a bilateral strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty between the USA and the Russian federation.

B. It is a multilateral energy security cooperation treaty among the members of the east Asia summit.
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C. It is a treaty between the Russian federation and the European union for the energy security cooperation.

D. It is a multilateral cooperation treaty among the BRICS countries for the promotion of trade.

UPSC 2016

With reference to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, consider the following statements: 1. It is an agreement
among all the Pacific Rim countries, except China and Russia. 2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of
maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
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B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

UPSC 2022

Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in
the news?

A. It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.

B. China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.

C. A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence
capabilities.

D. Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man's land, some South-East Asian countries
claim them.
UPSC 2020

If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are most
likely to give some immunity to India? 1. Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings 2. Opening up to
more foreign banks 3. Maintaining full capital account convertibility Select the correct answer using the code
given below:

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

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