Donald Trump’s return to the White House marks a historic moment, as he becomes only the second U.S. president after Grover Cleveland to reclaim the presidency after a four-year gap. Cleveland, the Governor of New York, was the first Democrat elected after the Civil War, holding the 22nd presidency (1885-1889) before returning for a second, non-consecutive term as the 24th president (1893-1897). Similarly, Trump served as the 45th president and now takes office as the 47th. As speculation grows around what his Trump 2.0 presidency might bring, questions swirl about how the world will navigate an international order increasingly defined by political pluralism and ideological diversity.

As global geopolitics shift with Trump’s return to the White House, the spotlight is once again on India and China—two of Asia’s most powerful nations. Rather than allowing the unpredictability of Trump 2.0 to dominate their diplomatic agendas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping must prioritize strengthening their bilateral ties. The focus should not be on watching Trump’s next move, but on deepening cooperation between India and China to foster a more stable and prosperous future for both countries.

The recent meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in October underscored the importance of maintaining open channels for dialogue, particularly on issues such as border stability and peaceful conflict resolution. While the dynamics of global leadership and U.S. foreign policy may fluctuate, the partnership between India and China has the potential to redefine the region’s future. Instead of viewing Trump’s presidency as a looming threat, Modi and Xi should look inward, focusing on enhancing their economic ties, boosting trade, and working together on shared challenges like climate change, technology, and sustainable development. Modi’s leadership within BRICS also brought attention to his push for the use of local currencies in cross-border transactions, an initiative that could further reduce India and China’s reliance on Western financial systems, such as the U.S. dollar, and facilitate smoother trade between the two nations.

As Sino-Indologist Prabodh Chandra Bagchi highlighted in his seminal 1950 work India and China – A Thousand Years Of Cultural Relations, historical ties between India and China go back millennia. Bagchi noted that trade between the two civilisations dates back to the time of Chang Kien, and cultural exchanges flourished as far back as the Kushan period. Revisiting this rich history could offer valuable insights as India and China navigate their future relationship in an evolving global order, especially as the BRICS platform expands and offers new possibilities for collaboration on technology, trade, and development.

Opportunity beckons for cooperation in EV sector 

One such opportunity lies in the realm of electric vehicles (EVs). Both India and China are on the cusp of transformative shifts in transportation, and the adoption of EVs could play a pivotal role in sustainable development and poverty alleviation in India. As India considers domestic EV manufacturing in collaboration with Chinese companies such as BYD, Leapmotor, and NIO, the potential for job creation, trade, and technology transfer is enormous. Chinese expertise in EV technology could help India meet its ambitious environmental goals while bolstering economic growth.

The importance of EV adoption cannot be overstated, especially in a country like India, with the world’s largest population. As EVs become more accessible, they could drastically improve quality of life, reduce air pollution, and create green jobs. The Modi government’s focus on fostering domestic EV production, in line with the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) vision, presents an opportunity to integrate Chinese technology and innovation into India’s burgeoning EV sector. This partnership could also help alleviate India's dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to global environmental goals.

At the same time, China’s experience in EV manufacturing offers India a valuable model for rolling out affordable, sustainable transport solutions for low-income communities. By focusing on affordable EV models and local assembly, India could not only meet its domestic demand but also create a ripple effect across the Global South, showcasing an example of green mobility.

Resilient India-China partnership to withstand global challenges

As for Trump himself, while his political style is often unpredictable, he has proven to be a tough negotiator with a knack for striking deals. His transactional approach to international  relations is likely to continue, and while his policies may shift, one constant remains his ability to broker agreements that yield unpredictable results. 

Global geopolitics, much like Trump’s presidency, is defined by unpredictability, but it is in this very uncertainty that China and India have an opportunity to deepen their cooperation, leveraging their shared history and values to navigate a rapidly changing world. It is time for both China and India to tap into their rich traditions of peaceful coexistence and forge resilient, sustainable partnerships that can withstand the challenges of the Trump 2.0 presidency and beyond.

(The author, a journalist-turned-interdisciplinary academic with over 18 years of experience in broadcast and digital media and research across Asia and Europe, is a Ph.D. scholar at Hong Kong Baptist University who is currently in China. Views are personal. He can be reached at arjunchatt@gmail.com).