Daily Times

One can never know what US President Donald Trump is up to at any given point in time. Despite being accorded a rousing welcome upon his arrival in India, the maverick president said in front of an Indian crowd that America’s ties with Pakistan were very good and in the wake of his efforts, both the US and Pakistan were seeing the signs of big progress on vital issues. Side by side, he also expressed hope for reduction in tension, and increasing stability and harmony in South Asia. Much to the dismay of the Modi government, Trump mentioned terrorism and Pakistan, but again the statement was loaded with Pakistan’s efforts to stem the conflict in border areas and in Afghanistan. He had a piece of advice for the Delhi to integrate with the region and solve problems through promoting peace.

The Trump tour is a PR exercise, devoid of any meaningful deals. The only deal Trump is touting is a $3 billion defence contract to be signed during the visit. The PR trip has brought to the fore some ugly scars of the country. Even before the arrival of Trump, reports started emerging that the Indian government built a wall in Ahmedabad to hide slums and rounded up cows and donkeys to clear roads. The public show was dominated by the presence of a large number of American security personnel. To cover up the failed exercise, Modi is trying to sell the significance of the tour of the American president to the public, saying that is Trump is touring India with his family because he feels family-like ties with India. The Indian government may find solace in Trump’s overlooking the Kashmir issue and the notorious citizen bill. Instead, he chose to highlight India’s secular heritage and “freedom, liberty, individual rights, the rule of law, and the dignity of every human being” being enjoyed by the Indian people.

When Trump delivered these words in Ahmedabad, the Delhi police was resorting to tear gas and smoke grenades to control thousands of protesters who were on the roads against the new citizenship law. Also, goons, supporting the law, attacked protesters with the backing of the police and the government. The situation was tense when President Trump arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for formal talks. Trump will hardly see any opposition leader in his entire tour thanks to Modi’s approach towards them. After Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s name was removed from the guest list for a state banquet, other opposition members who were invited have pulled out as well. Perhaps degrading the opposition is a trait both the host and the guest share, and both will be happy in each other’s company. *