American and Indian Relations Sour
Peter Zeihan
7 min
Right-wing populist governments prioritize national uniqueness over international cooperation, destabilizing global consensus and increasing conflict potential. Decision-making becomes more hostile as right-wing governments rebel against the existing order to build their own.
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Donald Trump
Chapters
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0:00
The Breakdown of US-India Relations
Positive signals for a trade deal between the US and India have collapsed, resulting in high tariffs and strained relations due to conflicting right-wing populist agendas. Right-wing governments like those in the US, India, Turkey, Japan, China, and Europe prioritize national uniqueness over international cooperation, destabilizing global consensus.
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3:37
India's Strategic Limitations
India lacks projection power and free trade experience, making its strategic alignment critical despite its economic growth and military capacity for regional defense.
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6:14
The Risk of Aligning with Russia
India's potential alliance with Russia would place almost all the risk on India while granting Russia nearly all the reward.
Key points
- 0:00
Positive signals for a trade deal between the US and India have collapsed, resulting in high tariffs.
- 0:00
India now faces some of the highest tariffs of any country selling to the United States.
- 0:00
Right-wing populist governments prioritize national uniqueness over international cooperation and consensus.
- 3:03
The post-Cold War consensus preventing conflict is breaking down globally.
- 3:37
No country except the US can currently fight in more than one theater.
- 3:37
India has never had a free trade agreement with anyone.
- 3:37
India is a major refinery center and stop for merchandise and energy trade.
- 5:01
India's military is designed for regional neighbors like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
- 5:01
India lacks the ability to project power economically or strategically beyond its region.
- 6:14
Aligning with Russia would place almost all the risk on India while granting Russia nearly all the reward.
Who and where
People · 1
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Donald Trump 4
President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
Photo 1
1. Photo: Daniel Torok, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Wikidata · redrawn in our house style (Donald Trump)
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