As the President of the United States of America Donald Trump, pulled International law from all sides, and encompassed International Relations into Trump-Relations. In Trumponomics, either you do the thing asked or you face tariffs and risk severe economic sanctions. Quagmire, where even the world leaders find themselves kneeling before the U.S.A or just blabbering against the confusing predicament. In early January 2026, Trump took the unprecedented step by withdrawing the United States of America from 66 International organizations. The memorandum signed by Donald Trump on Jan, 7 2026 included moving out of the India led International Solar Alliance.
FAULT LINES ERUPTING BY TRUMP’S AGGRESSIVE “DEAL MAKING”.
Unlike his predecessors who cherished “Soft-power” although on paper only, Trump led a global order to make the start of the New Year by a military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, bringing him to the U.S.A to stand trial. A few months back, in June 2025, he authorized strikes on Iranian Nuclear sites. While the aggressive military approach wasn’t enough, he posted an image on his social media account truth social, depicting Canada and Greenland as part of the United States of America. As countries were alarmed amidst heightened tensions by his live capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, nobody across Europe took Trump’s words on Greenland and Canada lightly. European countries unitedly started sending troops to Greenland, and Canada who just woke up from his slumber sleep and its Prime minister Mark Carney warned at World Economic Forum that the existing world order is “breaking apart” and called on “middle powers” to unite.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN AND EU’S LOOK INDIA POLICY
While Trump is threatening US’s closest allies from EU, Canada and India with tariffs along with aggrandized daily mocking, E U Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyes at world economic forum, Davos said that “India and EU are on the cusp of historic trade agreement which some call mother of all deals one that would create a market of 2 billion people”. This pivotal moment in world history India finds itself on the eve of 76th Republic day, 2026 onto a trajectory of International relations that will propel India towards becoming World Economic and Defense Power. This is Europe’s need, which doesn’t allow itself to over-rely on the United States of America or surrender before China. Entire Europe with the “Greenland Episode” has now concluded that over reliance on the U.S.A can also be a great threat to its sovereignty. The U.S.A is no longer targeting some middle East country or some Latin America country, its playing field is now the entire world and its allies are its first adversary.
In this pivotal moment, Europe looks for a trade and defense partner that it can rely on and engage with. Here, India finds itself as the Europe’s solution to its deep Trump problem where India’s international policy is historically built on trust and partnerships. This historical moment is unfolding before us and coinciding with Ursula von Der Leyen’s India visit onRepublic day, 2026.
“MOTHER OF ALL DEALS”
While entire Europe has just realized that it cannot rely on U.S defense industry alone, as F-35s (along with other American weapons) which can’t be used against U.S.A in case of Greenland’s adverse cessation from Europe or American takeover of Canada or American aggression against any other European territory. Even NATO can’t protect Europe with America’s aggressive adventure while it is primarily structured around Russian adversity in mind with the technical and defense capabilities of the U.S.A. Europe is defenseless against its primary weapon supplier, protector and guardian. Europe doesn’t find itself relying on China either because of its kneel and surrender debt trap relations with countries it partners with. On the Eve of Republic day 2026, India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or “Mother of all deals”, Negotiations for which has spanned for nearly two decades and the upcoming India-EU Summit in New Delhi marks the final climax of these talks. Market size of this deal is 27 nations combined GDP of 23 trillion and 450 million high- income customers. Some in Business circles are looking at this deal as a vital buffer against global trade volatility and “Tariff-heavy-bully” policies of the Trump administration. Sectors such as Indian textiles, garments, pharmaceuticals, and IT services are expected to gain from the deal and it is speculated that both sides have reportedly excluded agriculture as of now.
AND OTHER DEFENSE DEALS
While the mother of all deals is expected to be a buffer to Trump tariffs, the other two significant defense deals with India are expected to boost the defense reliance of major European countries to India. India- France are expected to sign 3.25 lakh crore rupees or $32 billion-dollar Rafale deal that is expected to cover the IAF’s decade long need of a future ready 4.5th generation aircraft. It is also expected that alongside the Rafale deal, France will also sign a SAFRAN- DRDO engine deal with significant technology transfer that will shape the future of India’s AMCA (5th generation aircraft) programme. It is also reported that Germany is also looking at India for its FCAS (Future Combat Air System) that is a 6th generation aircraft programme instrumental in ensuring European Sovereignty in defense and security.
To sum up, on the eve of Republic Day, 2026 Europe finds in India a trusted partner that has deep pockets, manpower, demographic dividend and manufacturing capabilities to protect its sovereignty while Trump led tariff and sanctions looms heavy for next 3 years. On the other hand, India finds itself racing against time to fill the gap in defense capabilities with China. India is yet to start induction of its 5th generation aircraft amidst the widening capability gap between IAF and PLAAF and upcoming trade, defense deals with European partners; is a strategic step ahead.
Dhruv Sharma, is a practicing Advocate at Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court and can be reached at Email – chambersofdhruvsharma@gmail.com
