Headlines of the international media are being dominated by the Gaza Peace Plan which seeks to end the violence finally.
Major world leaders were in attendance at the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt chaired by Donald Trump.
Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also given an invitation to the event, he deputed Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirthi Vardhan Singh to represented India at the conclave.
Needless to say, it would have been another wonderful opportunity for Narendra Modi to indulge in some prestigious photo-ops at the forum and thunder some ‘vishwaguu’ advice down the throats of the attendees.
But why did Modi not attend himself? The answer is Donald Trump!
Modi had invested heavily in his friendship with Trump who seemed to reciprocate the affection being showered on him.
Time and again, Modi and Trump had been effusive in their praise of one another with Modi even campaigning for Trump to be elected as President asking the NRIs in the US to vote for Trump.
Namaste Trump and Howdy Modi events were spectacles that would demand their own place in time.
Yet, all that bonhomie evaporated in Trump’s second term with tariffs being slapped on India, the H-1B visa issue, Trump taking credit for India ending Operation Sindoor, etc.
All this has given the Opposition ample ammunition to target Modi over his failed diplomacy.
Modi’s image of a strongman with a 56-inch chest has also been shattered as he appeared to be helpless in dealing with Trump.
And here’s the fun part! Trump still keeps calling Modi a valued friend and India, an indispensable partner (don’t forget that he called India a cheap economy some time back).
And this trend of a small carrot and a heavy stick approach from Trump keeps on continuing and Narendra Modi seems to have realised this, finally!
If he had gone to Egypt, there would be a festive atmosphere once again raising the expectations of Indians back home. Then out of the blue, if Trump were to target India again, the Opposition will destroy Modi’s image back home.
Incidentally, Trump did praise Narendra Modi at the summit without naming him.
“India is a great country with a good friend of mine at the top,” said Trump. Listening to those words, Modi must have felt a shiver down his spine.
Nevertheless, Trump has taught Modi one great lesson: that international diplomacy isn't shaped by 'individual friendships' but by pragmatism.
