Foolish Thinking US Expert Slams Trump’s View That India Should Simply Obey America:

When it comes to U.S.-India relations, there’s often a gap between what some American politicians want from Delhi and the reality of what an independent, major global power like India will do. This point was recently driven home when U.S. experts offered a harsh critique of the kind of transactional thinking expressed by figures like Donald Trump.

The commentary came in response to previous suggestions from the Trump camp that India should simply fall in line with America’s global priorities. U.S. experts wasted no time labeling this perspective as "foolish thinking."

Their main point? India is not a subordinate nation that will just rubber-stamp everything Washington decides.

Experts emphasize that the strength of the India-U.S. strategic partnership isn't based on automatic agreement; it’s built on shared democratic values and common geopolitical interests. Crucially, they stress that India, guided by its commitment to strategic autonomy, has every right to pursue a foreign policy that serves its own national interests first.

As one analyst might put it, it’s immature to believe that just because the two countries have strong defense and trade ties, India must become America’s mirror image on every policy issue—from Russia to Iran. India's history, its energy needs, and its massive population necessitate a policy of pragmatic engagement with multiple global players.

The implication here is a subtle yet crucial diplomatic lesson for Washington: if the U.S. wants the relationship to succeed and grow stronger, it needs to accept India as an equal partner, not treat it as a country that must constantly be cajoled or strong-armed into compliance. Trying to dictate foreign policy will only prove counterproductive.

The critique underlines the understanding that India's independent foreign policy is here to stay, and any future U.S. administration, regardless of who wins, must embrace this reality for the partnership to remain viable and effective.