Meeting the Expectation of the World: India and US for Global Peace, Progress and Prosperity

As the pattern has developed, we are staring at a new modern world where two countries have tremendous influence over remaining. It is partly due to the strength of the leaders and historic advantage of the position of these countries. These two countries are 1. US 2. India the home and away nations for me. Undoubtedly, two very strong leaders are at the helm of these nations who command a great degree of respect and wield tremendous influence and power in the contemporary world. While US is world’s largest economy and dictates the terms of the world, India is world’s largest democracy which is slowly climbing up the ladder and coming into the picture to set global narrative. The U.S.'s post-WWII rise as the architect of global order — building the economic and security frameworks that others operate within is already known. India’s civilizational continuity and post-colonial reawakening, positioning it as a moral and strategic leader for many countries worldwide is truly underway. The point is more than these two countries working for others, many other countries want to work with these two for the greater global good and progress. It is high time these two countries come out of the cocoon and exert tremendous influence for global peace, harmony and order. As the pattern is emerging, there is no denying the fact that everyone around the world is looking up to you for leadership, direction and good work. 

Let us first talk about India, my home nation. Historically, India has been called Vishwaguru or world’s teacher. It might be too early to call in present day but remember India has been the Guru or teacher of the world few centuries back. Ancient Universities like Nalanda and Takshashila attracted scholars from across Asia. Concepts like zero, the decimal system, and early astronomy emerged from Indian thinkers like Aryabhata and Bhaskara. Texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita explore metaphysics, morality, and self-realization. Yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation have become global movements for wellness and inner peace. India’s worldview — emphasizing unity in diversity, non-violence, and harmony with nature — has long positioned it as a moral compass for humanity. Then there is the strongest Prime Minister Modi India has ever had who has won three consecutive terms in the world’s greatest and largest democracy. We don’t know what it takes to humanly win three terms in a country with nearly a billion eligible voters. When this mandate has been passed for a leader who is world’s best with 70% approval rating, it is nothing short of historic and that his influence need to spread far and wide for the good of everyone. Indian voters have opened up and India need to open up to do more for the world. It is not just domestic elevation but the fact that he has been received very well all over the world by conferring 27 highest civilian honors from different countries is a testament for the push behind India assuming global leadership. 

Modi's third term represents a unique confluence of domestic mandate, international recognition, and global need for alternative leadership. These recognitions acknowledge his contributions to diplomacy, global peace, cultural ties, and strategic relations across different regions. The 27 international awards he has received are not merely ceremonial—they represent genuine recognition of India's growing global influence and Modi's leadership capabilities. The challenges facing the world today—from climate change and inequality to technological disruption and geopolitical tensions—require leaders who understand both the aspirations of developing nations and the complexities of global governance. Modi's experience, international recognition, and India's strategic position uniquely qualify the nation for this role to once again become the world’s teacher. In addition to receiving awards, India needs to practically do more on the ground to solve some of the pressing global problems by using this unique advantage for the next four years. Infact, it is a good internal policy as well since what you do for others is what you get in return. 

Adding along the same lines to the rise in India’s popularity among the internation community, during the most recent five-nation diplomatic tour from July 2 to 9, Modi was conferred with four top civilian honors from Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Namibia and one symbolic city-level recognition from Argentina. Will you ever see this wave of international support for anyone at any given time. For a person of Himalayan stature, the world feels proud to present with awards for the person he is and the nation he represents. The third term provides Modi with the opportunity to transition from being primarily a domestic development leader to a global statesman. The international community's recognition of his leadership, evidenced by the unprecedented number of awards and honors, creates both an opportunity and a responsibility to work for global good. India's moment has arrived, and Modi's leadership can help shape a more equitable, sustainable, and peaceful world order. The power advantage he possesses—derived from India's economic growth, democratic credentials, and strategic importance—should be leveraged not just for India's benefit, but for the broader global good. The world needs leaders who can bridge divides, build consensus, and deliver practical solutions to shared challenges. Modi's third term presents an historic opportunity to fulfill this global leadership role. The recognition from 27 countries across continents is not just an honor—it is a call to action for global leadership that Modi must answer in his third term. The seeds for reinvention of India as a Vishwaguru must be sown firmly today to fully realize in the future. 

Let us come to US and talk about the recent position of US where nations all over the world are vying to make trade deals with it. The current global trade landscape presents an unprecedented phenomenon: nations across the world are desperately competing to secure trade deals with the United States. President Donald Trump's strategic approach to trade policy has fundamentally reshaped global commerce, creating an unprecedented situation where nations worldwide are desperately competing for favorable trade deals with the United States. President Trump announced on April 2, Liberation Day, that his administration would impose an expansive new slate of tariffs on about sixty countries or trading blocs that held a high trade deficit with the United States—laying out the most significant U.S. tariff increase in nearly a century. This dramatic escalation fundamentally altered the global trade landscape overnight. Trump's relevance in achieving the current global trade dynamic cannot be overstated. His willingness to use America's economic leverage aggressively, combined with innovative negotiation tactics and personal diplomacy, has created an unprecedented situation. The importance of this strategy is it has more direct and immediate impact on the ground. 

The undeniable fact is more and more countries are willing to trade with US today, reasserting its position as a true global leader. There is a strong wind favoring US occupation of that position. While it can strengthen US, the trade deals are also hugely beneficial to the world’s nations. The United States represents the world's largest single market, with Americans generating more than one-fifth of global income despite comprising less than one-twentieth of the world's population. This massive economic footprint creates an irresistible market that other countries cannot afford to lose access to. The US represents the world's largest consumer market with enormous purchasing power. Access to the massive US consumer market can drive significant economic expansion for exporting nations. American consumers have substantial purchasing power, creating lucrative opportunities for foreign businesses. Trade partnerships often facilitate knowledge transfer, helping other countries advance their technological capabilities. Trade agreements typically encourage foreign direct investment flows both ways, but particularly US investment in partner countries, which brings capital, expertise, and job creation. For all the reasons and many others including strong US standing in recent years, an US outreach to make trade deals will definitely benefit the partner nations.  

Just like how India has a great leadership, US too has an able statesman in Trump. Even though he is in second term, he is already running in the third presidential term, making him one of the most powerful and dominant voices on Earth at its pinnacle. Trump's second term benefits from his first presidency's trade experience (2017-2021), providing him with established relationships with world leaders and deep institutional knowledge of trade negotiation dynamics. His track record of using tariffs as negotiating leverage has created both pressure and incentives for trading partners to engage in good deal-making for both the parties. Trade is the most practically relevant tool for good people-to-people relationship between countries and when this flourishes in right spirit, the world will be in better standing. We can hope the magic of the person at helm will work wonders in that direction. Just for example, the huge trade deal which China renegotiated with US in May will extremely benefit not just China, US but also the world. By taking care of this one big dimension, both these countries will fare better, continuing the status quo for many more years. This can be one example of the power of trade deals which invigorates and energizes markets worldwide. 

While India and US can lead the world with their voice and dialogue and when countries all over the world are eagerly looking for their leadership, the first and foremost requirement is to spread peace and harmony all over the world. This is the first criteria of a good leadership. You cannot prosper and progress without peace. The two countries which have done very well must maintain global peace and order just like securing their own nations internally. As a global citizen this will be the first expectation. I have also laid out mission objectives in last post where global peace comes first. We cannot stop everything, but we don’t want major wars breaking out either which will be a detriment to everyone else including our helplessness. President Trump is already championing the cause by brokering peace between Kosovo–Serbia, Democratic Republic of Congo–Rwanda, Azerbaijan–Armenia, Israel-Iran, India–Pakistan among others including attempts at Russia-Ukraine. On this day last year, there was an assassination attempt on Trump, and he must have reinvented himself for a greater global good, trade and peace. Things will not move on the ground very fast under any Presidential watchlist at any given time ever. No one will wield so much execute power ever either. Next, the two nations must use the positions to stop the Russia-Ukraine war which has been underway for a long time and Israel-Palestina conflict as well. Receiving awards and being powerful is one thing and doing something substantial on the ground for global peace is another and first one should set the second one in motion. 

India and the US are uniquely positioned to provide global leadership in the present day due to their complementary strengths and shared democratic values. Both nations represent the world's largest democracies, offering a powerful alternative to authoritarian models of governance. The US brings established financial markets, advanced technology, and innovation ecosystems, while India offers a massive consumer market, skilled workforce, and rapidly growing economy. Together, they represent both established and emerging economic power that could drive global growth and development. This leadership would be particularly valuable in addressing global challenges that are unique to the century. These two nations must provide direction to advanced and emerging nations after reaching a certain stage in their evolution in recent past. Because when you fail to assume the expected responsibility, you don’t fully succeed. As we can see, the support from the world is tremendous and there is a need to turn it into fruitful results for everyone on the ground.