Trump’s Spectre Over India

Mary Trump, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, says her uncle Donald Trump is a sociopath who suffers from narcissistic personality disorder and a long undiagnosed learning disability. At a recent Board of Peace meeting, Trump listed conflicts he helped end and called leaders to stand up. He asked Nawaz Sharif to stand up and said, “I spoke to Prime Minister Modi. He’s excited. He’s watching us right now. Pakistan and India. That was a big one. I think you should actually stand, come please stand just for a second. Pakistan and India. Thank you very much.”

Trump is pressuring India at multiple levels; different from his first presidency, when India stopped importing cheap Iranian oil due to US sanctions and Trump sent a shipload of American oil to India at his price to be paid in dollars. Trump now says 11 planes (not 10) were downed in the recent Indo-Pak conflict without mentioning types and from which country; may do so in a subsequent announcement but is pointing out a “11-year plane” shot down - India’s first Rafale deal.

America has killed millions of civilians, including women and children, in foreign countries; some three million in Vietnam alone. Trump is using ICE for killings inside the US without official confirmation of migrants and court ruling to deport individuals. But the US is allergic to another country killing/planning to kill anyone in the US, especially if it is a CIA pooch like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun – Khalistani separatist and general counsel of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). India designated Pannun a terrorist since 2020 and was the subject of an assassination attempt in 2023, which the US linked to India. Pannun has been publicly threatening India periodically.

Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accused of conspiring to assassinate Pannun on behalf of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), has pleaded guilty in a US Court to the charges brought against him. Because of ongoing investigations, NSA Ajit Doval didn’t accompany Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he attended the last Quad Leaders’ Summit chaired by then US President Joe Biden. Nikhil Gupta reportedly paid a hitman - who happened to be an undercover US agent. Gupta could face up to 24 years in jail. The other Indian named by US investigators in the plot is Vikas Yadav, a former R&AW officer. The US has not pressed for his extradition yet. But the US can be expected to continue playing up the issue, pressuring Modi and Doval for a reckless foreign policy.   

The India-US interim trade agreement, with India paying 18% duty and the US 0%, and Trump’s move to facilitate export of Bangladeshi textiles and garment to the US at 0% duty over Indian products at 18%, was covered in these columns earlier (https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/mapping-mischief/). Trump has written to Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman to make US-Bangladesh relations stronger, complete defence agreements giving Bangladesh high-end US-made equipment and implement the reciprocal trade agreement. Trump can be expected to pressure Rahman for US military presence in St. Martin's Island, even as China establishing an airbase at Lalmonirhat close to the Siliguri Corridor. How Bangladesh curbs anti-India activities remains to be seen with terror accused and ex-convicts winning in recent general elections(https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/2-anti-india-terror-accused-among-3-ex-convicts-who-won-bangladesh-polls-11002067/amp/1).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirms India has stopped importing Russian oil. Government’s claim India opted for best quality is farce because Venezuelan crude is inferior to Russian crude. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was already negotiating with Venezuela when Trump began to eye that country. According to Reuters, the US issued a general licence to RIL to directly buy Venezuelan oil without violating sanctions. White House has said if India continues Russian oil imports directly or indirectly, 50% tariffs will be reimposed on India. India’s oil imports will continue to be influenced by the US, and India will pay more – mostly in USD.

In April 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14257 to launch the most aggressive American trade policy. There is plenty rejoicing over the US Supreme Court ruling against Trump’s tariffs but Trump has vowed to use other methods to replace his sweeping tariffs. Also,  Trump has indicated India’s tariffs stay unchanged and the India-US trade understanding remains in force despite the court ruling (https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-did-trumps-india-trip-accomplish/ ) while calling Modi “a great man”.

India’s seizing three shadow-fleet oil tankers in its own maritime backyard is viewed as India’s pivot toward selective alignment with US-led sanctions enforcement (https://www.facebook.com/674879774/posts/10163046896099775/?rdid=vjmF0xNXKgWQkb3p#). Questions have arisen whether India is becoming a vassal state of the US because of multiple reasons?

In January 2026, Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani accepted US SEC summons via email after more than a year of delays regarding allegations of a USD 265 million bribery scheme. The case centres on claims that Adani Green Energy executives bribed Indian officials to secure solar contracts, misleading US investors; subsequently raising USD 175 million from U.S. investors based on false statements. In China, the corporate are allowed to grow to a certain level only; disappearance and reappearance of Jack Ma being one example. India is different where corporate control the media, moulding public perception.

Trump knows this and will use the issue to pressure Modi, not that cures are not available – looking at the US-Pak crypto currency deal and Pakistan exporting rare minerals to America. With Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav (former IAS officer) attending a high-level Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting in Washington this January and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar stressing Indo-US cooperation in rare minerals and semiconductors, New Delhi could be already working on those lines. A few billions worth investments by Adani-Ambani in the US could defuse Trump. 

Jeffrey Epstein was not only a high-level international pimp, but   actively moulded strategy, and believed to be working for Mossad. The three-minute missing video of his suicide in prison (August 10, 2019) led to speculation he lives undercover in Israel. A valid belief is Epstein was just an employee, not the ringleader, which is why he documented everything; the real mastermind is someone far more dangerous – America’s deep state, Mossad, who? The UN equates Epstein’s evil offenses with crimes against humanity, requiring full investigation. Britain’s Prince Andrew has been released after arrest and former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland has been arrested due to disclosures in the Epstein files. 

Trump is using the Department of justice (DOJ) to delete references to himself, for example, Karen Mulder, the original Epstein whistle-blower. More importantly, Trump has weaponized Epstein Files; DOJ is removing references of personalities in exchange for furthering Trump’s agenda. The media asks if this is why we are bending backwards to please Trump so that the files are closed once and for all?

Modi never visited Israel when Trump was in Israel. The reference that he danced in presence of Trump and Netanyahu has led to memes of Modi dancing in different attires. But Epstein was probably hinting at Modi’s unprecedented move of canvassing for Trump’s election in Housten, in presence of a 50,000+ audience, calling Ab Ki Bar Trump Sarkar (vote for Trump), with Trump standing by his side. Hardeep Singh Puri has admitted to exchanging e-mails with Epstein, even meeting him (https://www.facebook.com/reel/2073014066881323)? In a tweet on December 31, 2014 Puri wrote: “On Jeffrey’s taste in people, I have no doubt his instincts are even better”.

DOJ’s released Epstein Files in 2026 indicate Anil Ambani maintained a fixer-client relationship with Epstein, seeking access to US political figures, for arranging business financing, and as a backchannel for the Indian government. Modi’s name features repeatedly with references to Anil Ambani’s frequent conversations/emails with Epstein, like meetings in Washington or connecting with Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon. That’s why Anil Ambani’s 10-day old company was awarded offsets in the deal for importing 36 Rafales. Former French President Francois Hollande said India proposed Anil Ambani’s RIL as partner for Dassault Aviation, leaving France with no choice.  

There is speculation Hardeep Puri was inducted as Union Minister because of the Epstein connection. Jaishankar was appointed a Union Minister within a short time of his retirement because as India’s ambassador in the US, he worked to revoke the ban on Modi’s travel to the US. The outcry over Hardeep Puri is how does a senior Indian diplomat seek favours from a man convicted in 2008 on charges related to trafficking and sexual abuse of minors (https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1425663795597806&id=100044625960351&post_id=100044625960351_1425663795597806&rdid=Wx7VsVcdjjYb3tWL#)? But the counter to this is everything is fair in love, war and politics.

As to paedophilia, social media never lacks humour. One post says, “What a bunch of monkeys, why did they have to go all the way to Epstein’s love nest, when the choicest is available in our own Baba-Land, we have the Ram Rahims, Asa Ram, Tamdev, Sanger, you name it and its all yours, even home delivery.  If Epstein had his island in India, there would be no need to commit suicide, he would have simply joined whichever political party was ruling”.

Without a viable opposition, the government’s total focus is on elections, trade and money-making. All other failings are brushed under the carpet of religiosity. Frustration is visible even in government supporters. One post points out that the USD 8 billion deal for mounting Israeli radars on Tejas fighter jets was at the cost of what could have been done indigenously (https://www.facebook.com/586255862/posts/10162813286300863/?rdid=KtyQAc4cLc3KMQUK#). Another post says: “Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wants to develop 5th & 6th gen aero-engines in 5-6 years. But he hasn’t ordered a flying test bed in the last decade and stopped GTRE funding for the last 15 years. The difference between loud intent and loud mouth”. 

Ministers and politicians wearing imported items preach adopting indigenous. Those with wards educated, and even settled abroad, are calling for youth to get educated and work in India.   Amid calls to save the girl child, an August 2024 report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that 151 sitting MPs and MLAs of India have declared cases of crimes against women, including rapes, assault, and molestation. Isn’t it distressing to discover that every electronic product assembled/screwdriver-manufactured in India, even Apple and Samsung iPhones have Chinese components?

Union Minister Piyush Goyal says work is on to expand the trade pact with five American blocs. Modi may seek PM Netanyahu’s help to soothe Trump during his visit to Israel next week. But Trump is going berserk after the Supreme Court ruling; imposed a new global tariff of 10% and has already raised it to 15%. He is attacking US companies and attorneys with Indian ties (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/trump-accuses-scotus-of-being-swayed-by-foreign-interests-after-legal-setback-attacks-us-companies-and-attorneys-with-india-ties/articleshow/128640539.cms). Trump couldn’t be happy with India going for another 114 Rafale. He has got himself in a situation where he must attack Iran, which will affect global oil prices and economies, including of India. Whether Trump will be impeached or lose midterm elections remains ambiguous, but his spectre will hang over India till he is in office,

The author is an Indian Army veteran. Views expressed a personal.