Former Deputy National Security Adviser Pankaj Saran has cautioned that the current strain in India-US relations under President Donald Trump should be viewed as part of a broader global upheaval, not as an isolated diplomatic setback.
In an interview with ANI, Saran underscored the unpredictability of Trump’s foreign policy style, remarking, “There’s only one man in the world who knows what’s going to happen next, and that is President Trump. Not even his cabinet officials. They’re also the last to know, as we are.”
Asked whether the decades-long upward trajectory of India-US ties since the George W. Bush era had hit a major roadblock, Saran agreed but noted that other regions, including Europe, were facing similar turbulence. He cited conversations with European scholars who had long been concerned about Trump’s potential impact on NATO and the transatlantic alliance, with some even suggesting a shift towards a European-led security framework.
“When we look at ourselves, it’s better to see what we’re going through in the larger context,” Saran said. “If you believe you’re the only one facing disruption, your policy response will be different from if you recognise you’re part of a bigger global shift.”
According to Saran, the relationship enjoyed a “honeymoon phase” in Trump’s early months back in political prominence, but the focus has now shifted towards India in ways that demand caution. He stressed that India must adopt a realistic and measured approach when dealing with a global power like the US, warning that bravado or rashness would be counterproductive.
Saran also described Trump’s worldview as a “chessboard” where each country is assessed in terms of its role in a broader strategic design. “If we give him the benefit of doubt, he has it figured out in his mind what he wants at a macro level,” Saran said. “The only person who knows the next step is him.”