Both the leaders draw their strength from fiery nationalist rhetoric and attempt to consistently rekindle the flames of patriotism and nationalism
PRABHAKAR TIMBLE
President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have much in common as political leaders and in their leadership styles. Both draw their strength from fiery nationalist rhetoric and attempt to consistently rekindle the flames of patriotism and nationalism. President Trump built his self-image and popularity through xenophobic swipes against migrants and ethnic minorities. Probably, this is the first time that the syringe of hate has been injected in the US community defacing and defiling the values that the US cherished. The venom of hate and violence is sipping in everyday life of communities who have known to have lived with the spirit of compassion, healthy competition and fraternity.
Similar damage has been done to the treasured idea of India since the time PM Modi took the throne of this world’s largest and most populous secular democracy. Both these heads of state are extremely high on the popularity rating. In fact, President Donald Trump unabashedly tweets “I am No 1 and Modi No 2”. Both are masters in taking jibes at political rivals, ridiculing critics and exhibiting the muscular personality through fist-raising and thumping.
Donald Trump calls immigrants as criminals and rapists. He wants to build a wall and deport millions. Parading lies as truth with confidence comes naturally to this President of the world’s largest economy and the most influential nations of the world. President Trump is facing a lot of flak at home. Though the House of Representatives endorsed his impeachment on abusing power which is considered as bad as Watergate and obstructing Congress, he survived as the US Senate cleared the President on both the counts bringing the drama to a conclusion.
Prime Minister Modi though pretends indifference, is responsible for the nation-wide protests on account of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act and NPR-NRC which have generated tremors of fear and insecurity. These laws are perceived to be a part of the ‘Hindutva’ political strategy likely to drive the Muslims stateless and worsen the problems of the SC/ST and backward classes to adduce proof of their citizenship.
President Trump has problems with the media. It is out to castigate him for the attack on democracy, liberalism and for parochial acts. Modi is the darling of the media, though never known for any formal media interactions. The home media crawls before the Prime Minister.
Both these political leaders seem to be on a mutual adulation and flattery trip. The Howdy Modi (How do you do, Modi) event hosted by Texas India Forum (TIF) at the NRG Stadium in Houston where PM Modi addressed the Indian community along with President Trump was the first of such mega fanfare. There was no net contribution to the economic and trade relations between the two nations. The second similar trumpet blast “Namaste Trump” (formerly show-cased as Kem Cho Trump) is scheduled at the Motera Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad ostensibly by “Donald Trump Nagrik Abhinandan Committee (Citizens Felicitation Committee). President Trump is in no mood to sign trade arrangements of much significance. However, limited trade MoUs are expected. Trade barriers and tariffs raised by India have not been taken kindly by President Trump and the US. India has slapped custom duties in the current budget. At the same time, India is looked at as a large market for exports. There is no hope that the pending trade disputes between the two nations would get resolved in this visit. This standalone visit of the US President with claims of a bizarre 7 million gathering seems to be largely motivated by the US elections due this year. This fantasy of figures is the creation of Donald Trump on his tweeter handle. It is now official that around one lakh will participate in the proposed road-show.
The extravaganza and the associated prodigal public expenditure have drawn censure. Trump is known to have a penchant for walls with his pet projects of a security wall along the US border with Mexico. A seven feet high wall is supposedly being raised to mask a slum lying on the 10-km stretch from the Ahmedabad airport to Sabarmati. This has received due dose of criticism in the media.
This is the first visit of President Donald Trump. A visit of US President is always looked at with expectations on trade, economic transfers and deliverables in the sphere of defence, homeland security and immigration regulations. In addition, India has the potential to be a security partner considering the US military presence in Afghanistan and the growing hold
of China.
The motto and the planned logistics of the current visit indicate the tilted focus towards good optics. The Indian Americans are an influential vote bank for President Trump and a propaganda machine for PM Modi at home and on social media. Even if much does not get cleared on trade and economy, it would be a political boon to both Narendrabhai and Bro Donald. It would be “saaru che” (All is well) for President Trump. And when the newly built cricket stadium resonates the voice of the US President in mutual admiration “Modi che, etla-mate India ma baddhu saaru che” (Since Modi is there, everything is well in India). “Howdy Modi” and “Namaste Trump” are media events with a designed script by dedicated PR teams of Modi and Trump.
