Modi in US: Former diplomats hail MAGA, MIGA, MEGA

Former diplomats Rajiv Dogra and Ashok Sajjanhar were in conversations with The Squirrels today, both explaining what a tightrope walk US-India relations have been on issues like the proposed extradition of 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, the policy of punitive tariffs adopted by US President Donald Trump, the bad optics of deportation of handcuffed illegal Indian squatters in the US, defence deals between the two countries and the balance of America's equations with China and Russia with Uncle Sam's relations with India as Prime Minister ‪Narendra Modi‬ grabbed headlines during his ongoing US tour.

India's Prime Minister Modi celebrated a remarkable partnership with the United States, following an agreement with US President Trump for India to increase its imports of American oil and gas.

Modi's two-day visit occurs in the context of Trump's recent directive that all US trading partners, including India, should be subject to extensive reciprocal tariffs.

While both leaders commended each other's governance, Trump pointed out that India maintains some of the highest trade tariffs globally, labelling this as a "major issue."

To alleviate potential trade restrictions, Modi expressed his willingness to lower tariffs on American products, facilitate the return of undocumented Indian nationals, and procure military fighter jets from the United States.

During a joint press conference, Modi referenced Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, offering his variation: "It's Make India Great Again — Miga," he stated, adding, "Maga plus Miga...[is a] Mega partnership for prosperity".

President Trump often talks about MAGA.

In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in American context translates into MIGA.

And together, the India-USA have a MEGA partnership for prosperity!@POTUS @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/i7WzVrxKtv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2025

Trump said India would be "purchasing a lot of our oil and gas" to narrow the trade deficit between the two countries. "They need it. And we have it," Trump asserted.

Another assessment of Modi in US

Trump announced that the United States would significantly increase military hardware sales to India, potentially including the provision of F-35 fighter jets to New Delhi.

During their discussions, the two leaders addressed immigration, a contentious issue in their bilateral relationship. Trump revealed that the US would extradite an individual accused of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai terror attack to stand trial in India. Modi expressed gratitude for this decision and committed to accepting the return of Indian nationals residing illegally in the United States.

Trump's concerns

Recently, the US deported 104 Indians on a military aircraft, who were accused of being undocumented immigrants. A video surfaced showing the deportees in restraints, although the exact location of the footage remains uncertain. A second deportation flight is scheduled to arrive in India on February 15.

Indians represent one of the largest groups of unauthorized immigrants in the US and hold a significant number of H-1B visas. This visa program, which Trump had temporarily suspended during his first term, is now facing renewed scrutiny.

Before he met with Modi, Trump instructed his advisors to assess potential new tariffs on US trading partners worldwide, indicating that these could be implemented as early as April 1. He recognized the potential downsides of his tariff strategy but maintained that it would enhance American manufacturing and create numerous job opportunities.

Trump told journalists that "our allies are worse than our enemies", speaking of import tariffs. "We had a very unfair system to us," the US president said before meeting Modi. "Everybody took advantage of the United States."

The White House released a statement that signalled a trade warning to India and other nations. The statement highlighted that the average tariff imposed by the US on agricultural products was 5% for countries that had been granted the most favoured nation (MFN) status by Washington.

"But India's average applied MFN tariff is 39%," the White House fact sheet said, noting, "India also charges a 100% tariff on US motorcycles, while we only charge a 2.4% tariff on Indian motorcycles."

Trump has implemented an extra 10% tariff on imports from China, attributing this decision to the country's role in producing fentanyl, a potent opioid that has contributed to the overdose crisis in the United States.

Additionally, he has prepared tariffs on Canada and Mexico, the two largest trading partners of the US, which may come into effect in March following a 30-day suspension.

Earlier this week, he also eliminated exemptions related to his steel and aluminium tariffs imposed in 2018.