The recent imposition of steep tariffs by President Donald Trump's administration on India, amounting to 50%, has reverberated across global economic and diplomatic circles, with significant commentary from geopolitical analysts.

Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at the Taihe Institute and a noted expert on Asian geopolitics, characterised these tariffs not merely as punitive economic measures but as part of a broader attempt by the United States to "force India into submission."

Tangen's remarks, made during an NDTV panel coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, underscore the intricate interplay between optics, strategy, and assertion on the world stage.

Tangen sharply criticized the American approach, noting that "belittling a country like India, which is of such great importance for the markets and labour, doesn't make sense."

President Trump wanted to force India into submission, said Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute, suggesting New Delhi has an opportunity to stand up to the "bully". He added, "Belittling a country like India, which is of such great importance for the markets and labour, I don't think it makes sense."

The expert suggested that the U.S. tariffs were motivated less by India’s trade policies and more by its refusal to align with Washington's narrative, such as refraining from naming Trump a peacemaker amidst regional tensions with Pakistan. Additionally, India’s persistent importing of Russian oil, despite Western pressure, was cited as a flashpoint in the evolving U.S.-India dynamic.

Amidst the backdrop of the Modi-Xi summit, Tangen interpreted the optics as a deliberate signal to Washington, highlighting that the engagement between the Indian and Chinese leaders extended beyond bilateral concerns to encompass broader global stakes.

He emphasised that this meeting acts as a powerful message in response to what he deemed the United States' "arbitrary actions towards India." The expert argued that the current geopolitical landscape, with the U.S. imposing tariffs on 180 countries, creates a critical opportunity for India to assert itself as a counterbalancing force, both within organisations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS, and in the wider context of the non-aligned movement.

Tangen posited that Washington's anxieties stem from India’s growing influence and leadership within the non-aligned world, a position that could reshape the current order if India were to rally nations against U.S. pressure tactics. He asserted, "You can post tariffs as much as you want, but they have to be uniform for all nations.

You are not going to divide us in colonial games and have us go against each other, including China, Russia, and many others." This perspective highlights India's strategic leverage: its ability to resist divisive policies and foster solidarity against unilateral moves from major powers.

On the subject of India-China relations, Tangen acknowledged that tensions since the Galwan valley clashes in 2020 had led to a freeze in ties and a military stand-off, but recognised recent successful disengagements and a shift toward peace and stability. Prime Minister Modi’s remarks during the summit echoed these sentiments, noting the restoration of trust and ongoing pragmatic cooperation.

Tangen highlighted that progress is being made on the economic front, with both leaders promising joint ventures in rare earth extraction, tunnel boring technology, and fertiliser production—developments that, while promising, still require sustained effort and trust-building.

Einar Tangen views the current climate as presenting India with a momentous opportunity to stand against what he calls a "bully" on the world stage and to reaffirm its role as a balancing power.

Modi's leadership, according to Tangen, has emerged as a pivotal force, challenging Washington’s attempts at dominance—a dynamic that he suggests is keeping U.S. policymakers vigilant long into the night.

The evolving India-China rapprochement, coupled with a strong stance against arbitrary U.S. tariffs, signals a shifting balance in global geopolitics, with India poised to play a transformative, stabilising role in the years ahead.

Based On NDTV Report