Some nations in Asia have been watching anxiously as Donald Trump is going to take up the presidency, but for one major power in the region, India, could strengthen ties.
During a brutal election campaign, where Trump's rhetoric on foreign partners became negative overwhelmingly, he had been largely positive about India at least towards its Hindu majority, and its nationalist prime minister, Narendra Modi.
When Trump had courted Indian-American voters at a rally in New Jersey in mid-October, stated, "There won't be any relationship more important to us." He praised Modi , as another populist who is savvy in using social media as a "great man" in championing bureaucratic reforms and economic growth.
There are many more hints that Trump has been well-disposed toward India. He had done a lot of business there. An analysis of Trump's pre-election financial disclosure discovered that of his 111 international business deals, the highest number 16 were in India. He stirred controversy over potential conflicts of interest by meeting with three Indian business partners last week who had been building a Trump-branded luxury apartment complex in the city of Pune.
He selected, the daughter of Indian Sikh immigrants, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations the first woman who tapped for a Cabinet-level post in his administration. Haley had no experience on foreign policy experience.
It remained as a matter of conjecture how these will shape the approach taken by a Trump administration when he takes office from Jan. 20. But Lisa Curtis at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank said it was "easy to envision" the U.S. and India working closer on counter-terrorism.
India expects that Trump's promise to fight radical Islamic militants means more American pressure on Pakistan and less aid for India's historic archrival. Militants based in Pakistan have accused of launching cross-border attacks inside India.
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By Prakriti Neogi
