Former Deputy National Security Adviser Pankaj Saran says India’s current tension with the United States under President Donald Trump is part of a much bigger global disruption. He warns that the strain is not unique to India, and other countries, including key US allies in Europe, are also struggling to adjust to Trump’s unpredictable approach.
Saran stresses that policymakers must see the larger picture before deciding how to respond, as rash moves or bravado could harm India’s interests.
India-US Ties Hit a Difficult Phase
In an interview with ANI, Saran admitted that India-US ties, which had seen steady growth since the George W. Bush era, have now hit a major speedbump. “I think so,” he said when asked if the relationship is facing a serious test, adding, “But we’re not the only ones.”
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He pointed out that the early months of Trump’s return brought a “honeymoon phase” for India, but the mood has now changed. “It is now after eight months or seven months that he’s turned his attention to us. And we lived through a fairly nice honeymoon phase for the first few months. But now we’re getting into his crosshairs,” he said.
Europe Also Feeling the Strain
Pankaj Saran recalled his talks with European scholars even before Trump returned to office. They were worried about the future of NATO and the US-led transatlantic partnership.
Some even talked about creating smaller security coalitions without the US or switching to a NATO dominated by Europe. Nations such as France, Germany, and Italy started to make their voices heard and adjust their security strategies.
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A Global Disruption
Pankaj Saran’s main message is that India’s challenge is part of a global pattern. “When we look at ourselves, it’s better to look at what we are going through in a larger context,” he said.
Viewing it as an isolated problem could lead to the wrong policy choices. If policymakers accept that it’s part of a global disruption, they can adjust their strategies more effectively.
Unpredictability at the Top
Pankaj Saran underlined the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s decisions. “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,” he said. He believes Trump sees the world as a chessboard and treats diplomacy as deal-making. Each country is a piece in his broader design.
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Pankaj Saran advised against chest-thumping or rash moves. “You’re dealing with a global power. You’re not an equal, and you have to be realistic,” he said. India, he stressed, should respond with careful calculation, not emotion.
