Narendra Modi will not compromise with national interest under Trump’s pressure : Dr Chandra

In the latest episode of JC Show, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra said that entire world is fed up with Trump’s morning tweets. He noted that Modi’s likely China visit signals thawing ties, while a US visit seems uncertain due to Trump’s unpredictability. Dr Chandra said Maldives’ dramatic U-turn is a symbolic surrender driven by economic realities. He highlighted that Modi’s temple visit in Tamil Nadu was emotionally powerful and could reshape BJP’s 2026 electoral prospects in the region. (Part-II)

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to American companies to stop manufacturing in China and hiring from India. What, in your view, has been the outcome of this threat?

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: It’s just another flop show, like many of his others. Trump’s threats have had absolutely no impact. In fact, I’m surprised none of his OSDs (Officers on Special Duty) are informing him that despite all his threats, warnings, and arm-twisting tactics, nothing has really changed. There have been no real consequences. He warned Google, and they flatly refused to comply— they’re still in India. He warned Apple too, and they also refused. The truth is, his threats haven’t yielded any results so far. These warnings are likely to die a natural death. As of now, there’s nothing to show for them. That said, let’s see what unfolds in the coming days.

In my view, people across the world now start their mornings with a cup of tea and a glance at Trump’s latest posts on X. How do you interpret this “tariff tweet mania” of Donald Trump?

Brilliant point. Tea is a ritual—here in India we sip ‘Chai,’ elsewhere it might be green tea, black tea, or coffee. But now, a new ritual has emerged: while sipping your morning drink, you check— what has Trump said today in his 280 characters? It has literally become the order of the day. And Trump simply can’t resist. Until he puts out that one 280-character tweet, his day doesn’t begin. What happens then? The moment he tweets, central banks around the world, finance ministers, prime ministers—all scramble. Except perhaps Narendra Modi and one or two others, and let’s leave China aside, the rest are constantly on edge. Everyone’s routine now revolves around Trump’s finger, markets open & close with a flick of his tweet. It has become a global disturbance. People now say: “It’s a global threat, a global nuisance.” Every morning starts with Trump’s tweet. By evening, the chaos begins to settle, and a few days later we learn Trump wasn’t serious—he’s extended the deadline, rolled back the statement, or modified it. You’re absolutely right— Trump’s “tweet mania” can truly be called a mania. Let’s see when the world finally gets relief from it. For now, it is both a global nuisance and a global compulsion. Economists across the world are literally praying: “When will we be free from Trump? When will we be free from his tweets?” So yes, let’s see.

Has Donald Trump’s unpredictable style unsettled even America’s closest allies created global instability? How do you assess the situation?

Absolutely. Not all leaders are as immature—or as unpredictable—as Trump. The world has stable nations, mature presidents, and thoughtful prime ministers, especially among America’s allies. The 27 EU nations and global powers like China, Russia, and India must constantly wonder how to handle him. His policies lack consistency, and US foreign policy is now derailed, changing by the day. Most nations follow steady policies. PM Modi’s stance has been consistent for 12– 15 years. He says: “I am aligned with no one, which means I am friendly with everyone.” His non-aligned approach makes India a voice for peace, not war. His policy is clear: peace is the goal, dialogue is the path. Trump, by contrast, leaves countries worldwide uneasy. The US, a major power, is destabilised under Trump’s leadership and destabilising others. Discontent is rising in America. Ordinary Americans, I read just yesterday, feel disillusioned. They had hoped tariffs would bring dollars and boost the economy, but instead, each has reportedly lost about $200,000 in just six or seven months. Mature nations are alarmed by Trump’s unpredictability and constant policy shifts. The US is used to playing the global bully, but now Trump faces Modi, a tough negotiator. He says the India deal will be modelled on the Indonesia deal, likely meaning tariffs higher than India’s current 10%. Modi is watching closely, weighing India’s bargaining power. Will the country bow or stand firm? That remains to be seen. Two things are clear: Modi will negotiate only up to a point, and any compromise will never come at the cost of national interest.

Trump has once again reiterated that if he hadn’t intervened, India would still be at war with Pakistan. What is your take on this?

Some people would say, pardon me, but the entire world laughs at this claim. Trump has repeated it 72 times already, & poor Modi has had to respond 72 times as well, saying: “No, you weren’t involved. There was no intervention, no trade-off, no favour. Please let us do our work. Spare us.” But he doesn’t listen, he keeps repeating it. Honestly, he’s wasting the time of leaders like Rajnath Singh & S Jaishankar, & his own too. Every time he makes such claims, our ministers are forced to publicly correct him. Rajnath Singh had to state again that Trump’s statement is false, & S Jaishankar clarified that the accusations are completely baseless. As PM Modi clearly said: there was no external interference or foreign pressure. India brought Pakistan to its knees and acted on its own terms. Any agreement was achieved through our own efforts—not Trump’s socalled intervention. That’s the full story.

What are the possibilities of PM Modi and US President Donald Trump visiting China in the near future?

A visit to China by PM Modi is almost certain, likely in the last week of August or the first week of September. The environment is now favourable, facilities for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are restored, flight services are resuming, & tourism visas are reopening. He is expected to attend the Shanghai summit. Both China and India are keen to improve relations. After COVID-19 and the Galwan Valley incident, ties had turned tense but are now gradually improving. A US visit, however, remains uncertain. In my view, it’s unlikely for now, primarily because Donald Trump is unpredictable. Until there is clarity on his behaviour and a concrete agreement between the two countries, I don’t see PM Modi visiting. There is also personal displeasure over Trump’s conduct— his remarks on Pakistan being “anti-terror,” his open support, and even inviting a Pakistani general for lunch, all of which must have upset Modi. He is a patient man, perhaps thinking things might improve tomorrow if not today. But unless there is a clear signal that conditions are favourable and any agreement is on Modi’s and India’s terms, I don’t think he will visit the US. That’s my reading, it remains to be seen.

The second headline of today’s show is — “Red Carpet for Modi... Muizzu Seeks Redemption.” What does this signify?

It signifies the surrender of a rebellious Maldives before PM Modi, an act of repentance, a course correction, and a pledge to act as a responsible and friendly nation. Maldives has traditionally been India’s natural ally under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Its strategic location makes Maldives a key partner. India has long played the elder brother—providing military aid in 1988, tsunami relief in 2004, and COVID-19 support. Relations were smooth until China disrupted its political balance. Muizzu won on a strong “India Out” campaign, yet just two years later made a dramatic U-turn, greeting Modi with flowers on a red carpet, receiving him personally, and extending a 21-gun salute. This reversal is clear repentance, sincere correction, symbolic surrender, and a step forward.

Given the enthusiasm in the visuals, the warm welcome accorded to PM Modi in Maldives, what must Chinese President Xi Jinping be thinking as he watches?

He must be a bit upset. But Chinese political circles are full of shrewd players. They are not expressive, much like Trump. They keep their true thoughts to themselves and rarely speak openly. Still, Xi Jinping must be inwardly concerned. China gave the Maldives substantial financial support—massive loans, infrastructure projects, and even helped shape anti-India narratives during Muizzu’s campaign. Yet at the decisive moment, Muizzu returned to India’s fold. So yes, Xi Jinping must be diplomatically and politically very upset. That said, China plays the long game. They are long-distance runners— giving space, letting players move freely, then pulling them back at the right moment. Chinese politics thrives on such calculated manoeuvring. For now, they may watch quietly, but the coming days will reveal more. At this moment, I can say with confidence: the Chinese leadership, especially President Xi, must be upset.

Did the decline in tourism force Maldives President Muizzu to return to PM Modi’s fold?

You are absolutely right. Tourism is the backbone of the Maldivian economy—about 30% of GDP and 60% of foreign exchange earnings come from it, with India a major contributor. Tensions rose when three Maldivian ministers made derogatory remarks against India. Prime Minister Modi took a firm stand, demanded an apology, and the ministers were suspended. Relations began to normalize only after that. A strong public campaign in India—“Teach them a lesson” and the viral slogan “Boycott Maldives”—caused a $150 million loss to the Maldivian economy, serving as a wake-up call to mend ties with India. Now, with Modi’s visit and Maldives remaining a top destination for Indian tourists, the tourism corridor is reopening. This is also good news for Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Tourism will now grow again, and the Maldivian leadership is surely relieved that reconciliation has taken place.

PM Modi got an overwhelming response at TN’s Chozhapuram Temple on July 27. Could this hint at a BJP breakthrough in the 2026 state polls?

First of all, PM Modi’s temple visit showcased his calm demeanour, expressive devotion, and ritual grace. Even veteran priests cannot match his perfection. Whether in religious ceremonies, politics, or administration, he works with unmatched precision. The powerful visuals went viral across North India, resonating emotionally with followers. Tamil Nadu, with its deep Hindu roots and devotion to Lord Ram and Ayodhya, connects strongly to this cultural appeal. BJP, weak in 2024, now targets a 2026 breakthrough with Amit Shah determined and AIADMK’s 75 seats. Stalin faces unease and public anger over tax hikes, NEET, and state-centre clashes. Surveys show Vijay Kumar’s party at 41%, others 26% and 23%. Modi’s visit was a milestone in emotional and political outreach.

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