AN ASIAN MODEL OF DEALING WITH DONALD TRUMP
Asia states will watch, with interest, India’s approach to managing the challenges posed by a second Trump administration.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) could be one area where India could possibly be asked to do more in the security domain, as a key initiative to counter China.
While Southeast Asia had been lukewarm to this four-power platform (which also includes US, Australia and Japan), a reinvigorated Quad could be seen as a positive development, contributing to a stable balance of power within East Asia. Southeast Asia could possibly expect a more visible role for India in the region, with the possibility of the joint India-Russia supersonic BrahMos missile finding buyers beyond the Philippines, especially since the US has signalled the need for countries to do more for their own security.
In making deals, downplaying differences and turning on the charm, India could offer an interesting Asian model of how to deal with the Trump administration.
Dr Sinderpal Singh is Assistant Director and Coordinator of the South Asia Programme and Regional Security Architecture Programme, at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.
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