Donald Trump's historic return to the White House as the 47th President brings a fresh wave of optimism and global potential. With Vice President JD Vance sworn in just before him, the administration is set to focus on enhancing border security and renewing policies on asylum seekers and birthright citizenship. In his first speech as the President, he said, “We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety, and peace for citizens of every race, religion, colour, and creed.”
Trump's admiration for India, along with the appointment of prominent Indian Americans to key positions in his Cabinet, signals a promising future for US-India relations and opens new doors for Indian professionals and businesses. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is working diligently to secure a trade deal with the US. Trump has expressed hope that Saudi Arabia will soon move toward normalising relations with Israel, further advancing peace in the region.
Trump Cabinet 2.0: Key Indian-American leaders appointed to top positions
Donald Trump has made a historic return to power, announcing a diverse group of Indian-American leaders appointed to top roles in his second-term Cabinet. These appointments reflect the growing influence of Indian-American professionals in key sectors such as technology, public health, and civil rights.
Among the key appointments is Sriram Krishnan, a Chennai-born entrepreneur, who was named Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Krishnan, with his background in technology and venture capital, will shape US AI policies.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, was appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Ramaswamy, born to Indian parents in Ohio, will bring a business-oriented approach to the federal administration. Vivek Ramaswamy may no longer co-head the Government Efficiency Department with Elon Musk, planning to run for Ohio Governor.
Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer born in Chandigarh, was named Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice. Dhillon’s appointment highlights a focus on protecting civil liberties under Trump’s administration.
Dr Jay Bhattacharya, a renowned health researcher from Kolkata, was appointed Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya, known for his stance on Covid-19 policies, is expected to advocate for public health measures prioritising individual freedoms.
Kash Patel, appointed as FBI Director, continues his support for Trump, leveraging his background in national security. These appointments mark a new chapter for diversity at the highest levels of the US government.
Indian American support shines at the Presidential inauguration Gala
The Presidential Inauguration Hindu Gala, hosted by the American Hindu Coalition at The Mayflower Hotel, highlighted growing Indian American support for President-elect Donald Trump. Utsav Sanduja, founder of Hindus for America First PAC, revealed that support for Trump among the Indian American community increased from 22% in 2020 to 31% in 2024.
Speaking at the event, Sanduja detailed his group’s efforts during Trump’s campaign, which included work across seven battleground states. He also praised Trump’s focus on addressing issues affecting Hindus in Bangladesh. “I’ve been briefing his team for months, and I’m hopeful the president will act on this concern,” Sanduja said.
The gala, the first of its kind focused on Hinduism, and celebrated cultural heritage and unity. Prominent Indian American figures, including leaders from the American Hindu Coalition, emphasised the importance of diversity in building bipartisan support. Sanduja highlighted the unity among different communities. “We saw people from various religions and races coming together to support the president. This unity shows a promising future for all,” he added.
The event also featured members of the Latino community who joined in solidarity. As one supporter stated, “We’ve got to take America back again, and Trump did it.”
Trump, who previously served as the 45th president, will be sworn in as the 47th president on Monday at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Prominent Indians attend Trump’s inauguration, highlighting US-India ties
Several high-profile Indian personalities attended Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, underscoring the significance of US-India relations.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ceremony as his special envoy. Notably, Jaishankar was seated in the front row, a position highlighting the importance of India in the diplomatic community. His attendance reflected India's continued commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the United States.
Jaishankar delivered a personal letter from PM Modi to President Trump, reflecting India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the US. Sharing his thoughts on social media, Jaishankar said, “Privileged to represent as External Affairs Minister and Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States.”
Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, and his wife, Nita Ambani, were among the select guests at an exclusive candlelit dinner with Trump before the inauguration. The intimate event included only 100 attendees, comprising influential billionaires, foreign dignitaries, and prominent politicians.
Kalpesh Mehta, founder of Tribeca Developers and a licensed partner of the Trump Organization in India, attended the ceremony alongside Pankaj Bansal, Managing Director of M3M Developers, and Ashish Jain, Managing Director of Kundan Spaces. Both developers are involved in Trump-branded real estate projects in India.
Sundar Pichai, the Indian-origin CEO of Google and Alphabet, joined a distinguished group of global tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The participation of Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s Indian-origin CEO, was uncertain.
The presence of these influential figures underscored India’s growing prominence on the global stage and symbolised optimism for a strengthened US-India partnership during Trump’s presidency.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Laurence Fox arrived in the US ahead of Trump's inauguration; Braverman expressed gratitude for the invitation. "The reality is, President Trump is going to be inaugurated tomorrow in that building behind me. He has won a huge mandate," said Dame Priti Patel who was also invited to the inaugural ceremony.
Usha Vance’s grand-aunt congratulates US Vice President couple
Professor C. Santhamma, grand-aunt of Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President-elect JD Vance, extended heartfelt congratulations to the couple ahead of their inauguration. Speaking to ANI, she expressed pride in their achievements and optimism for their future roles.
“We congratulate you for this excellent position. May God bless you, your country, and mine,” she said.
Usha Vance, daughter of Indian immigrants from Andhra Pradesh, studied at Cambridge and Yale. The couple met at Yale Law School. Her family’s native village, Vadluru in Andhra Pradesh, celebrated the couple’s success, reflecting hope for strengthened US-India ties.
Starmer pushes for US trade deal as Trump prepares for the inauguration
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer intensified efforts to secure a trade deal with President-elect Donald Trump as the latter prepared for Monday’s inauguration. Starmer convened a “mini-Cabinet,” including senior ministers and Jonathan Powell, architect of the Chagos Islands deal, which has complicated US-UK relations.
Trump’s team delayed the Chagos agreement, citing concerns over potential advantages for Beijing in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, Labour insisted Lord Mandelson would assume the role of the British ambassador to the US despite Trump allies questioning his pro-Beijing stance.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans talks with Trump allies at Davos amid fears tariffs could cost the UK £2.5 billion.
Labour criticised Sadiq Khan's ‘Fascism’ remark ahead of Trump’s inauguration
Labour faced backlash after London Mayor Sadiq Khan called US President-elect Donald Trump part of a “resurgent fascism haunting the West,” hours before Trump’s inauguration. His comments, made on BBC, sparked criticism from Conservative allies of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel urged Labour to focus on strong diplomatic ties with the incoming Trump administration.
On 20th January, campaigners protested Trump’s inauguration outside Downing Street, warning of rising racism and far-right influence in Britain.
Elon Musk criticised the lack of reciprocity in US-China tech relations, calling TikTok’s US access vs. X’s China ban “unbalanced.” Amid Trump’s plans to extend TikTok’s divestment deadline, Musk urged change. He also met Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, highlighting business leaders’ role as mediators in volatile Trump-era Sino-US ties.
Admiration for British Royals could bolster UK-US Relations
President-elect Donald Trump’s fondness for the British royal family may provide a boost to UK-US relations amid tensions with Labour's government. Trump has expressed admiration for the royals, praising the late Queen Elizabeth II during his 2019 UK state visit and more recently commending Prince William after meeting him in Paris.
Experts suggest the royals’ global appeal and Trump’s deference to their status could help ease diplomatic challenges. While the royals hold no formal political role, their soft power has historically reinforced the UK-US bond. Prime Minister Keir Starmer may strategically leverage this influence to foster goodwill with the Trump administration.
Implications for India’s economy and trade
Donald Trump's return to the White House has sparked discussions about the impact of his policies on India, given the close economic ties between the two nations. The US is India’s largest export destination, accounting for 18% of India’s total exports in FY24.
Trump’s “America First” agenda, which encourages domestic manufacturing and reduces reliance on imports, may lead to higher tariffs on Indian goods like pharmaceuticals, IT, and textiles. However, his anti-China stance could benefit India, as US companies may relocate operations to India.
Trump’s second term is expected to deepen US-India ties, particularly in defence, technology, and trade, creating opportunities for Indian businesses. His pro-business policies, including corporate tax cuts, could boost global markets, leading to increased foreign investment in India.
While sectors like defence, energy, and technology stand to gain, India’s IT sector could face challenges due to Trump’s restrictive immigration policies. Overall, Trump's second term presents both opportunities and challenges for India, with the next few months critical in shaping the economic outlook.
