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Shyam Saran writes: With Trump, the old West is gone
How should we describe the topsy-turvy world we are living in today? Children’s playbooks have a “joining the dots” game that reveals an image when the dots are connected. But in today’s geopolitical scenario, the dots are constantly moving, making it impossible to recognize a pattern. Familiar landmarks and reassuring anchors are disappearing with bewildering rapidity.
How should one deal with the most powerful country in the world, which, under Donald Trump, has transitioned from being the upholder of the global order to its ruthless undertaker?
During Trump 1.0—a milder version of Trump 2.0—Henry Kissinger had said,
“I think Trump may be one of those figures in history who appears from time to time to mark the end of an era and to force it to give up its old pretences. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he knows this, or that he is considering any great alternative. It could just be an accident.”
Kissinger may have been right about Trump marking the end of an era. But what he may not have anticipated is that Trump 2.0 has a clear blueprint, which is now being rolled out both at home and abroad.
Project 2025: Reshaping American Governance
If one examines the slew of ordinances issued by Trump so far and the dismantling of the federal bureaucracy by Elon Musk, who now heads the new Department of Government Efficiency, a pattern emerges. This playbook closely follows “Project 2025,” a document formulated by The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing conservative think tank. Several of its authors now occupy senior positions in the Trump administration.
A critical transformation is underway:
(i) The professional bureaucracy is being replaced by a cohort of Trump loyalists.
(ii) The federal system is being overhauled in line with Trump’s ideological agenda.
A New Foreign Policy: From Liberalism to Right-Wing Alliances
The foundations of American foreign policy are being overturned. The US is no longer an internationalist liberal state but avowedly right-wing, seeking closer ties with similar ruling dispensations across the world.
It is wrong to assume that Trump’s foreign policy is purely transactional. He and his close aides see themselves as part of an emerging global mainstream, which is the antithesis of the old liberal West. There is no longer a “West” in the way the world understood it.
Trump’s affinity with Vladimir Putin and even Xi Jinping is not just eccentricity. It is based on ideological alignment. Trump appears driven by a 19th-century concept of imperialism, where land and territory are markers of power.
In this worldview:
(i) The US, Russia, and China are great powers because of their sheer territorial size.
(ii) Each power is entitled to its own sphere of influence.
(iii) Other nations are mere pawns in this bigger geopolitical game.
The Ukraine Dilemma: A Pawn in a Bigger Game
Ukraine’s refusal to accept its role as a bargaining chip explains why the US voted against a UN resolution condemning Russian aggression. This also led to the televised brawl in the Oval Office on February 28, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was subjected to a carefully choreographed attack by Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
What many missed was Trump openly expressing empathy for Putin, seeing him as a fellow victim of a political witch-hunt. This reflects a worldview where Europe is no longer seen as a credible power, making its attempts to support Ukraine futile.
A Fragmented Europe Faces an Uncertain Future
The sooner Europe acknowledges that the old West is gone, the more likely it is to come together and develop its own independent strategic capabilities.
A fragmented Europe, where each mid-sized or small country negotiates with great powers alone, will cease to matter geopolitically. The new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has understood this reality. After the recent elections, he stated:
“I would never have thought that I would have to say something like this in a TV show, but after Donald Trump’s remarks last week … It is clear that this government does not care about the fate of Europe. My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the US.”
What This Means for India
Those who believe that a US-Russia détente will drive a wedge between China and Russia may be disappointed. Moscow and Beijing have built a comprehensive, mutually supportive relationship, which will not weaken because of US outreach to Russia.
Trump does not see India as a big power in the same league as China and Russia. For India, this means:
(i) Being careful not to be seen as a convenient pawn for the US.
(ii) Recognizing that the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, US) may no longer be a strategic priority for Washington but a tactical bargaining tool against China.
(iii) Remaining alert to geopolitical shifts.
India’s Best Strategy: Pragmatic Diplomacy
India must tread carefully by:
(i) Maintaining friendly ties with Trump’s America while avoiding direct conflicts.
(ii) Developing closer relations with Europe, East and Southeast Asia.
(iii) Strengthening its own subcontinental periphery, which may emerge as a new strategic vulnerability.
The ideological affinity between Trump and PM Modi is an advantage for India in managing its relationship with Washington. But India must remember:
Trump’s great power vision does not align with India’s preference for a multipolar world.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in Indian Express and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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