India’s foreign policy over the past three decades, among others, has led to economic growth and resilience, making it the world’s fifth largest economy. You don’t have to put all your eggs in one basket. India’s foreign policy was based on this basic idea. The opposite will be true for Denmark, one of the world’s richest countries measured by income per capital, and its international standing will decline. Today, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “For purposes of national security and freedom around the world, the United States feels that ownership and control of Greenland is absolutely necessary.”
In other words, he wants to buy Greenland again. Greenland’s mineral wealth and melting polar ice could pave the way for new international shipping routes to generate income. His comments about Greenland should be considered in the context of the appointment of PayPal co-founder Ken Howley as ambassador to Denmark.
So we know what America’s interests are in this region. Denmark has put all its eggs in the Biden administration’s basket, donating more money to Ukraine than France, Italy and Spain combined. Danes and other Scandinavians are in a state of complete shock just before Christmas Eve. There are no allies in international politics. Almost 500 years ago, the Italian thinker Niccolò Machiavelli warned that those who imagine their allies to be their friends ensure their destruction rather than their protection.
If President Trump has his way, Denmark will lose its importance on the world stage. Structurally, Greenland is to Denmark what Kashmir is to India. Imagine what would happen if the United States told India or Pakistan that it was willing to buy Kashmir, a region that is strategically important to its global hegemony.
Fortunately, India maintains a partnership with its long-time friend Russia and is fortunate to have diversified its defense industry. Second, India agreed to a peace deal with China, which improved opportunities for trade and cultural exchange. This is a win-win situation for China and India. Due to demographic changes, China will need people of working age. India has the largest youth population. If you get the right education, you can get a job in China, and both countries can benefit.
It is not a loss for Indians to migrate abroad. Diaspora Indians will send a record $107 billion in remittances to relatives back home in 2023-2024, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the second consecutive fiscal year. Without a doubt, we have benefited from migration. Therefore, a friendly relationship with China is a rewarding one, and China needs to understand that the benefits of a peaceful region outweigh any other desire for territorial gains.
The biggest challenge for Western countries is the conflict in Ukraine. India and China are adopting a similar approach here. President Donald Trump said finding a solution to the Ukraine war is a difficult task. For Joe Biden, the conflict in Ukraine and the proxy war against Russia was an opportunity to weaken Russia by forcing European countries to pay more and buy more American weapons. It is completely consistent with American policy during the Cold War. Americans support Islamic jihadists in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and now Syria for similar reasons. They wanted to eliminate Russian influence from Asia and the Middle East. Currently, Biden has been more or less successful in forcing the Russians out of Syria. However, it may not be so easy if the Russians form an alliance with the Turks.
The Middle East seems easy. As mentioned before, Ukraine is a difficult country to crack. Young Europeans are increasingly voting for parties that want peace and do not want to complicate relations with Russia. Unfortunately, it is the left parties and the Greens who adamantly want to continue funding the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, AFD (Alternative für Deutschland) is currently the most popular political party among young people in Germany, and even more popular among young people in particular. It is expected to win the most votes in the February election. One of our unwavering demands is that the war in Ukraine be stopped, as we believe it is an unnecessary war. Instead, it wants to restore some viable relationship with Russia. It will give courage to German industry, which is currently facing a crisis.
Denmark’s government, which increased per capita donations during the Ukraine war, is currently deeply unpopular and would lose one in three voters if elections were held. Similarly, the French were smart and said they would contribute a lot, but in reality they did not contribute much. The French government recognizes that it is in the midst of a political and financial crisis. France faced an economic dilemma and chose to use the funds for internal affairs.
Within days, Donald Trump will be steering the ship and forging a peaceful agreement between Russia and Ukraine. The war in Ukraine will probably be stopped. Ukraine would be encouraged to remain a non-NATO member of the Western alliance.
Keeping in mind this new global development, in retrospect, it is commendable that India’s foreign policy has remained neutral. The time has come to strengthen our friendship with Russia, which has stood by India during historically difficult times and helped India through the crisis.
After 20 years, the wind is finally blowing in a different direction. Donald Trump appears to be taking a friendlier approach towards India. He appointed two people from India, Vivek Ramaswamy and Kash Patel, to the top positions. When it comes to diversity, Joe Biden chose only one half-Hindu vice president, while President Trump chose three Hindus. And India is also fortunate to have a current vice president, J.D. Vance, who is married to an Indian woman.
Hopefully, the new government will be much friendlier towards India than the previous one. India should retaliate against the US and improve relations with the US.
2025 could be a good year for India. India needs to keep insisting that we can be friends with everyone. There is no need to choose, especially with the historical past in mind.
The views expressed above are the author’s own.
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