Trump 2.0's First Year: US-India Ties Face Tariffs, Immigration Hurdles

• Donald Trump's return to the White House in early 2025 initially sparked optimism in India for continued strong US-India ties.
• Despite early positive engagements like the Quad meeting and PM Modi's White House visit, relations quickly deteriorated due to Trump's 'America First' policies.
• Trump imposed significant tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% tariff on imports and another 25% for purchasing Russian oil, impacting labor-intensive sectors.
• Immigration policies tightened with increased deportations of Indian immigrants and a steep $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, replacing the lottery system with a wage-based one.
• India diversified its foreign policy, making overtures to China and Russia, while public opinion in India shifted against Trump; however, new agreements and diplomatic efforts offer hope for improved relations in Trump's second year.

Why It Matters: Trump's first year back strained US-India ties with tariffs and immigration changes, despite initial optimism.