Editorial Snapshot: 07-July-2025
Common goals: On India and a five-nation tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, en route to the BRICS summit in Brazil, made bilateral visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina to strengthen cooperation on key areas such as pharmaceuticals, digital technology, food security, and critical minerals. In Ghana, ties were elevated to a comprehensive partnership with a focus on vaccine manufacturing. In Trinidad and Tobago, an MoU on Indian pharmacopeia was signed to enhance access to affordable generic medicines. In Argentina, cooperation was sought on critical minerals and shale energy, while promoting Indian pharmaceuticals. These visits reflect India’s strategic outreach to the Global South, promoting South-South cooperation and offering low-cost, India-led solutions through platforms like CDRI. Modi also engaged the Indian diaspora, particularly in the Caribbean, emphasizing shared colonial histories and India’s broader vision for a more equal and representative global order. The tour underscores India’s effort to reshape global partnerships beyond traditional Global North frameworks.
Pivot away: On U.S. student visas, Trump administration
The U.S. has resumed student visa interviews under an extended vetting programme that involves strict scrutiny, including applicants’ social media activity. This comes after a month-long freeze, resulting in backlogs and delays for many Indian students, with visa processing deadlines coinciding with the start of the academic year. The extended vetting is among several factors discouraging Indian students from studying in the U.S. Other deterrents include policy proposals to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, introduction of fixed-tenure visas, cuts to education and research funding, and revocation of PhD admissions. The Trump administration’s restrictive immigration stance, coupled with the departure of influential tech supporters and the growing control of right-wing figures, has further diminished the appeal of the U.S. for Indian talent. The trend suggests a possible long-term shift in India’s engagement with the U.S., beyond just student mobility.
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