Modi’s no-response to Trump’s calls was a reflection of 1.4 billion Indians’ sentiment : Dr Chandra

In a wide-ranging and candid conversation in the JC Show, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra shared deep insights into the evolving dynamics of India’s foreign relations, the personal diplomacy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, trade frictions with the United States, and the country’s resilience in the face of economic pressures. Dr Chandra said that India’s diplomatic stance under Modi reflects strength, clarity, and rising global respect, citing Muslim community support in China and Modi’s firm refusal to nominate Trump for the Nobel as defining moments. He stressed that Trump’s erratic behavior and 50% tariff war have hurt Indian exports deeply, but affirmed that the government is vigilant and preparing strong relief measures. Dr Chandra also highlighted Modi’s SCO success and the deepening India-Russia ties ahead of Putin’s visit. Excerpts... (Part-II)

• During Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to China, members of the Indian Muslim community were seen welcoming him with Indian flags and chanting patriotic slogans. How do you interpret this?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: Just look at these images. If this had happened in India, in Kanpur, Lucknow, or Ahmedabad, it would be one thing. But all of this happened inside China. People were holding the Indian flag, and I heard they were chanting slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ That’s very encouraging. From the beginning, I’ve believed and I’ve stated this many times, that there isn’t a full understanding of the Muslim community’s perception of Narendra Modi. There’s definitely a bit of controversy. The general perception is that the Muslim community views him negatively. But through our programme ‘Modi, Mulq aur Musalman,’ I’ve heard views from Muslims that are surprisingly positive. It seems their votes might actually be divided. Opinions about Modi are mixed. In that programme, whether it’s from Lucknow, Srinagar, Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Kolkata, Muslims have spoken positively about Narendra Modi. That’s the reality. So what happened in China could be seen as an extension of that mindset. In any case, this was a very powerful image, it presents a secular India on a global stage.
• There are diplomatic circles suggesting that recent tensions with the US are not just about oil deals with Russia, but because Prime Minister Modi declined to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Do you think there’s truth to that?
  I think there’s reasonable ground to believe that version of events. I’ve heard that during a conversation on June 17, Trump raised the topic subtly, noting that Pakistan had already done so. He hinted that Modi should do the same. Modi deflected the request. Now, Trump might be thinking: “Whenever I bring this up with Modi, he ignores me.” The last time, when Trump visited India, Imran Khan said Pakistan wanted peace with India, and Trump, who has a habit of positioning himself as a selfstyled mediator, said, “Let me mediate.” Modi rejected the idea outright, saying there is no room for a third party. That likely hurt Trump’s ego. This time, when he made fresh demands regarding reforms in the agriculture sector, India didn’t yield. Trump must be thinking, “Who is this man who doesn’t listen to me?” He may have been comparing Modi to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, who quickly praised Trump, passed resolutions in Parliament, and thanked him for ceasefires. Modi did no such thing. Trump perhaps expected a similar display from Modi, even a resolution or nomination for the Nobel Prize. But that’s not possible. Modi doesn’t bend under pressure, it’s not in his DNA. He’s a rational, thoughtful leader. So yes, as The New York Times and others have suggested, there’s every reason to believe that this friction is partly because Modi didn’t support Trump’s desire for the Nobel Prize. In fact, talking about giving Trump a ‘Nobel’ now seems absurd.
• We’ve heard that after the 50% tariff was imposed, Trump tried to reach PM Modi four times but received no response. What’s your take on this?
  That, again, sounds very plausible. Modi must have felt deeply hurt. What didn’t he do for Trump? He went all the way to Ahmedabad for him, drew a crowd of 100,000 people in the US, most of them Indians, and even said, “Vote for Trump.” There’s a limit to ungratefulness. Trump’s behavior now seems childish, saying one thing today, another tomorrow. It’s damaging to his own image. Standing with someone like Trump today would be below the standards of someone like Narendra Modi. Trump’s erratic behavior, his speeches, and fluctuating attitude simply don’t suit Modi’s personality. Modi must be hurt, and the best way to express that was by not responding. Modi even stated in Parliament that during the conflict days, the US Vice- President called four times, and he didn’t pick up. Eventually, as a courtesy, he called back and was told Pakistan was preparing a major strike. Modi replied: “Then we’ll strike harder, if they use cannons, we’ll use tanks; if they use bullets, we’ll use artillery.” Modi felt that Trump was treating India like another Pakistan, a colony to dictate to. That’s why I believe it’s completely justified that he chose not to respond. In doing so, he also conveyed the public sentiment of 1.4 billion Indians, there is widespread resentment toward Trump. Even those, who once welcomed him with songs in temples and mosques, are now criticising him. Modi did the right thing.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India this December. How is this visit expected to differ from his previous ones?
  This visit will certainly be special. It will be a ‘Super Red Carpet Welcome’ from Modi. These are two genuine friends. Modi is a man of stable thinking, and Putin is cut from the same cloth. Putin says what he means and follows through. That’s why the welcome will be grand, and significant agreements are expected between the two countries. It’s a good time for both nations, and Modi is likely eagerly awaiting Putin’s arrival in New Delhi.
• A US Federal Court has declared Trump’s tariffs illegal. What are the chances of Trump getting relief from the Supreme Court now?
  Trump faces a high likelihood of losing in the Supreme Court as well. This was inevitable. When you act like a bully and operate outside constitutional limits, consequences are bound to follow. The court found that Trump had overstepped his authority, that there was no national emergency justifying the use of such powers. These emergency provisions are meant for crises, not for addressing a trade deficit. Trump misused this pretext to impose tariffs across the board, threatening 100%, 200% in various places. It was chaotic. There’s a strong chance he will lose this case, and that could bring a wave of relief globally. The courts have given Trump time until October 14 to appeal to the Supreme Court, or else the tariffs will be struck down. The world is watching the US Supreme Court now.
• Did India achieve any significant success against terrorism at the recent SCO Summit?
  Yes, this was a major diplomatic victory for Modi. For the first time, a condemnation resolution was passed over the Pahalgam incident, and it named the location explicitly. Look at the visuals, Pakistan’s Prime Minister is standing on the sidelines, while Modi is seen talking directly to Putin, in command. That’s symbolic. This is a significant international achievement. Modi got a platform to deliver a frontal attack against Pakistan, even in the presence of China. He bluntly exposed Pakistan’s terror links. This time, Pahalgam was officially recorded in the summit’s proceedings, that’s unprecedented. And though Pakistan repeated its old double standards, the world could see through it. Despite this, you saw their Prime Minister later sharing a dinner table with others, these diplomatic gestures are just formalities. It’s been said that Modi was invited too, but naturally, he didn’t attend.
• What is your early assessment of the 50% tariff imposed on Indian exports from August onwards?
  These tariffs were like a lightning bolt, a sudden, damaging blow. The truth can’t be hidden, Trump has hurt India deeply. About 55% of our exports are now in the risk zone, with potential losses amounting to $48 billion. Sectors affected include textiles, jewelry, diamonds, handicrafts, leather, and some agricultural equipment. It’s devastating. Just look at cities, Surat, once booming with diamond factories, is now deserted. Friends from Surat told me that their flight to Jaipur had only 20 passengers. Factories are shut, businesses collapsed. Places like Gurugram, Delhi, Ludhiana, Tiruchirappalli all show signs of economic distress. Trump’s actions are highly irresponsible, even from a humanitarian standpoint. But Modi doesn’t abandon his people. The government is working on large-scale relief and rehabilitation packages. The impact is undeniable, but efforts are underway. The government is promoting ‘self-reliance’ (Swadeshi) and offering financial support to exporters.
• Is the Indian government planning any major relief measures to mitigate the impact of the 50% tariff war initiated by Donald Trump?
  The Indian government is extremely vigilant in addressing the impact of the tariff war. The Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and, as I’ve heard recently, even Amit Shah are all actively engaged on this issue. Most likely, all the proposals currently under discussion will be approved. The Finance Minister and Ashwini Vaishnaw have worked together to prepare a comprehensive proposal aimed at providing substantial economic relief, similar in scale to the major subsidy packages announced during the COVID-19 crisis. The proposed measures include the provision of emergency loans for industries affected by the tariff, along with an extension of loan repayment periods for those already under financial pressure. Additionally, it has been recommended that the timeline for export-related payments be extended to give businesses more breathing room. The government is also looking at expanding e-commerce infrastructure to support domestic producers and exporters in accessing alternative global markets. Perhaps the most significant reform under consideration is in the Goods and Services Tax system. The government is working towards introducing a simplified GST structure, likely reducing it to just two slabs, possibly 5% and 18%. If this proposal is approved, it could bring a massive financial benefit to the states, amounting to around Rs 14 lakh crore. This would be particularly important for states that have repeatedly raised concerns about delayed GST compensation. While that is a separate issue, it’s deeply connected to the ongoing reforms. The Finance Minister has clearly stated that once these steps are implemented, Indian products will become more competitive in the global market, and the country’s overall economic situation is expected to improve. If the new GST structure is adopted, not only will it simplify the tax system, but it will also bring relief by lowering prices on at least a hundred essential items, making them more affordable for consumers. The reduced tax burden would provide a significant measure of economic relief at both the state and national levels.

During the show #JConGlobalPowerShift trended top All-India on X