Can J D Vance heal US–India wounds left by Trump?
Introduction
American politics is in flux. Donald Trump’s health has raised questions of succession. If Vice President J D Vance becomes President, India will have to assess the change carefully.
Trump’s second term brought strain: tariffs hurt trade, and rhetoric eroded trust. His adviser, Peter Navarro, made remarks that deeply angered India.
Vance, however, strikes a different tone. He has spoken of fairness, partnership, and shared strategy. His wife, Usha Vance, provides a cultural bridge between the two democracies.
Let us examine what a Vance presidency could mean for India across trade, energy, defence, and diplomacy. Let us also recall why Navarro’s words left scars and why India’s AMCA fighter project must remain the priority—even if the US offers the F-35.
Trump’s legacy and Navarro hurt
Trump began with warmth. He joined Prime Minister Modi in public rallies. He praised the Indian-American community. But behind the smiles came tariffs.
Duties on Indian goods shot up. In some cases, close to 50 percent. About one-fifth of Indian exports were hit. Companies lost contracts. The economy took a hit.
Trust also weakened. Policymakers in Delhi wondered if the US was reliable. If tariffs could be raised overnight, what stopped sudden defence restrictions?
Then came Peter Navarro. First, he accused India of “manipulative trade practices.” Later, he used the phrase “Brahminism profiteering.”
This was explosive. It implied Indian elites were unfair, exploitative, even corrupt. It carried echoes of colonial stereotypes.
The reaction in India was fierce. Social media erupted. Hashtags condemning Navarro trended for days. Politicians, journalists, and ordinary citizens called it insulting.
For many, it was not about trade. It was about identity. It was cultural disrespect. It dismissed India as a society of profiteers, not partners.
The hurt was deep. Navarro’s phrase became a symbol of arrogance. Combined with tariffs, it made US policy look hostile. By 2025, ties needed repair.
Vance’s reset
J D Vance visited India in April 2025. His words struck a different chord. He warned that without US–India cooperation, “the 21st century could become a very dark time for humanity.”
This was not tariff talk. This was a strategy.
Trade
He and Modi agreed on Mission 500. The goal: double trade to $500 billion by 2030. This replaced tariffs with targets. It puts growth above punishment.
Energy
He invited India to buy more American energy. Ethanol, nuclear fuel, and offshore gas—all were pitched. Energy is a critical area where India needs partners.
Defence
Vance also raised the question of the F-35 fighter jet. He suggested India consider it. He spoke of joint production and technology sharing. This was a new language of trust.
But for India, this brings an important debate.
Defence: AMCA vs. F-35
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is India’s flagship fighter project. Designed by DRDO and HAL, it is intended to be a fifth-generation aircraft featuring stealth, supercruise capability, internal weapons bays, and advanced avionics.
It is Indian in design, development, and deployment. It will serve Indian conditions. It will secure India’s independence in air power.
The F-35 Lightning II is the world’s most widely deployed stealth fighter. It has been used in combat. It has advanced stealth, sensors, and NATO integration.
But it comes with issues. It is expensive. Unit costs are high, but maintenance costs are higher. It is dependent on US supply chains. Lockheed Martin retains control over spares and upgrades. Deep codes are not shared. Sovereignty is limited.
Indian radars have also tracked stealth-like profiles during exercises. Stealth is not invincibility. The F-35 may not have the same edge in the Indian environment.
For India, the choice is clear.
AMCA is the priority. It gives self-reliance. It creates jobs. It builds technology in India. It supports “Make in India.” It keeps strategy independent.
F-35 is only an option. It may help in deterrence. It may be useful in limited numbers for signalling. But it cannot replace AMCA.
A balanced approach is possible. AMCA is the backbone. A few F-35s for joint exercises and visible deterrence. But the future must be Indian.
Usha Vance: The human bridge
Policies define strategy. People define trust. That is where Usha Vance plays a vital role.
She is of Telugu origin. She is the first Indian American, first Hindu, and first Asian American to serve as US Second Lady. If she becomes First Lady, it will mark history.
Her own record is impressive. Yale and Cambridge. Clerkship at the US Supreme Court. A respected legal mind.
Indian excellence. Her mother, Dr. Lakshmi Chilukuri, is a microbiologist in California. Her great-aunt, Shanthamma Chilukuri, still teaches physics in Andhra Pradesh at 96.
During her India trip in 2025, she called it the “journey of a lifetime.” She said it was special to show her children their heritage.
This resonated deeply. Indians felt pride. Her presence humanized diplomacy. She gave warmth where Navarro had given insult.
Beyond optics
Some dismiss such symbolism. But symbolism matters. It adds trust. Trust makes agreements work.
Vance sees China as America’s biggest threat. India agrees. This shared view aligns both nations. The Indo-Pacific is central to both strategies.
The contrast is sharp. Navarro spoke of “Brahminism profiteering.” He divided. Usha speaks of roots and pride. She connects. Vance talks of cooperation. Trump talked of tariffs.
This is not cosmetic. It is a fundamental shift in tone.
Implications for India
If Vance becomes President, India could see clear benefits.
Economy: Tariffs may ease. Trade talks will revive. “Mission 500” could boost exports. IT, pharma, and manufacturing will benefit.
Defence: Access to advanced systems like the F-35 may be offered. But AMCA remains the core. Limited F-35s could add deterrence.
Energy: US energy supplies could diversify India’s imports. Ethanol, nuclear, and gas will help.
Diplomatic trust: US policy may become steadier. Less harsh rhetoric. More fairness.
Soft Power: Usha Vance provides a cultural bridge. Diaspora ties will deepen. Pride will grow.
Conclusion
India–US relations have swung between warmth and strain. Under Trump, tariffs and harsh words caused wounds. Navarro’s “Brahminism profiteering” comment triggered outrage. It became a symbol of insult.
But a Vance presidency could change the story. His policies are cooperative. His tone is respectful. His vision is a shared strategy.
With Usha Vance, the relationship gains a human bridge. She adds cultural pride and emotional connection. She reverses the insult with dignity.
For defence, the choice is clear. AMCA must be India’s backbone. The F-35 can remain only an option. Sovereignty matters more than supply chains. Strategic autonomy matters more than short-term gains.
If Vance steps in, India has a chance to move from mistrust to trust. From tariffs to trade. From insult to respect. From dependency to self-reliance.
The opportunity is real. The direction is for India to decide.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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