It is not just American politics which is at a standstill, but the whole world is static and waiting for the results. While China would want Trump to lose out, many other countries would want the contrary. Trumpism was characterised by the policy of not relenting to the Chinese demands and countering every Chinese aggression. He had brought confidence in the countries to take on China together, and many like-minded countries were congregating. However, a Democrat victory will mean a shift from anti-China centric foreign policy, and it will end the resistance to China even before it begins.
So, if Trump does not return to the White House, then the anti-China concert of democracies would need another leader. And who can be a better choice than the most popular democratically elected leader of the world’s largest, and highly functional democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi? He has time and again proven how decisive he is, and if one needs an example, then the latest SCO virtual summit can suffice.
During his address for the 20th summit of the SCO Council Head of States (virtual), PM Modi called for all the countries to respect the sovereignty and integrity while executing connectivity projects, which can be considered a borderline direct reference to China’s Belt & Road Initiative and CPEC projects. PM Modi also alerted the summit participants about some countries (Pakistan) trying to bring bilateral issues into multilateral forums. He said, “It’s unfortunate that there are frequent attempts to raise bilateral matters in the SCO agenda. This violates the SCO Charter and the SCO spirit. Such attempts also go against SCO’s spirit of consensus and cooperation.”
While the Indian Prime Minister was taking direct warning shots on China and Pakistan, the Chinese Communist Party’s General Secretary Xi Jinping stayed away from making any provocative statements against his Indian counterpart. He stated that “We need to resolve disputes differences through dialogue and consultation”. The important point here is, while PM Modi was slamming China and Pakistan left and right, Xi Jinping could do nothing but listen to all the hard-hitting points and be humbled by Indian Prime Minister.
India, under PM Modi, has been consolidated its position in international politics and has transitioned from a major middle power to becoming a great power. India under him is heading the fight against Climate Change. India in collaboration with France has created a Solar Alliance which is growing in size and stature. India has been working with Japan to develop sustainable infrastructure for Indian Ocean Region countries, thereby reducing the Chinese influence in the region significantly. India is also developing Solar parks and replacing thermal by green energy as fast as possible. Healthy fuel is also a big push, with implementing BS-VI norms.
India is working to improve the lives of its neighbours, and to its extended cultural brothers, that is, ASEAN. Be it the Act East policy, SAGAR project for neighbourhood first implementation or collaborating with the European and Middle Eastern countries to counter the destructive policies and designs of Turkey, Pakistan and their likes, India is taking a stand like it never did in the past. In addition to the above, India is also providing assistance to East African countries, Afghanistan, and it has recently promised to send three crore vaccine shots to Bangladesh as soon as they are ready.
Read more: India is right at the center of destroying China’s influence in ASEAN, South Asia and Africa
India, under PM Modi, has also started leading the Quad as the one component, the USA seems out of the game for a while. The Indian government is working in tandem with Japan and Australia to counter Chinese influence in the region. India has been investing heavily into the Indian Ocean Region, ASEAN and its neighbourhood to strengthen the case for the Quad and it is because of Indian Prime Minister’s consistent actions and comforting outreach that European countries like France and Germany are buying into the concept of Indo-Pacific and releasing their strategies.
Read more: Preparing for a world without Trump, India’s ASEAN outreach intensifies to take on China
With all these proactive and consistent actions, Prime Minister Modi seems to be the worthy candidate to take place of Trump as his second term seems unlikely.
PM Modi has had a long political career and as an astute administrator, he has successfully led a country more diverse than Europe itself. He enjoys the support and blessings of more than 1.3 billion people, which was evident as he won the second term with a greater majority. He is the definition of the recognition a democratically elected leader can get. Narendra Modi as the mascot of the anti-China concert of countries will tick every requirement and will make sure that the block is cohesive and lasts longer as a whole.