Anshuman Mishra, an influential international banker and political strategist, has revealed some important insights into the future of US-India relations, particularly with respect to US President-elect Donald Trump's intentions for a visit to India in 2025. Mishra shared these details in an exclusive interview with India Today News Director Rahul Kanwal from Manhattan. Mishra, who spent Election Night at Trump’s retreat in Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, with the Trump family and several prominent figures including tech magnate Elon Musk, podcaster Joe Rogan, UFC President Dana White, and billionaire Steve Wynn, offered a rare glimpse into the charged atmosphere surrounding Trump’s historic election night.
Mishra recalled that Trump’s mood initially appeared calm as the first results rolled in, but as the race progressed and it became clearer that victory was within reach, the excitement in his inner circle started to grow. Mishra noted, “In the first stretch, he didn’t sit even for a minute. And this man is 78 years old.” Trump was seen pacing during the early hours, but as the results solidified in his favor, he relaxed. “At 11:30, when North Carolina got called, he got comfortable. He sat down again, finished his meal,” Mishra observed. Despite the late hour, Trump did not stop celebrating, staying up until 3:30 a.m. to deliver his victory speech. Mishra was among a select group of guests invited to witness the victory celebrations, sharing intimate and exclusive images of the event.
A key element of Mishra’s insights involved Trump’s thoughts on India and his admiration for the scale of political rallies in the country. Trump, who is known for his massive rallies in the US, was deeply impressed when he visited India and witnessed the sheer scale of crowds attending political events. Mishra highlighted Trump’s reaction to the massive crowds at Indian rallies, saying, "He’s very impressed with the crowds that come to Indian rallies." Trump specifically referenced his visit to Ahmedabad, where he was shown the enormity of the crowds, something he had never seen in the US. He reportedly said, “I used to think I do big rallies. Then I ended up in Ahmedabad, and your leader showed me what the real crowd is.” Mishra also recalled Trump’s participation in the 2019 “Howdy, Modi!” event in Houston, Texas, where the two leaders appeared together before an enthusiastic crowd. “The way you guys do rallies, we can never dream of,” Trump remarked, reflecting his admiration for the organizing power and political clout that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been able to mobilize in India.
However, beyond the personal admiration for Modi, Mishra also shared some insights into Trump’s views on trade and global economics, which have been a cornerstone of his presidency. Mishra revealed that Trump was concerned about the US-India trade relationship, particularly the trade deficit between the two nations. Trump, according to Mishra, has repeatedly mentioned that India has been benefiting disproportionately from its trade dealings with the US. Mishra recalled Trump telling him, “India has been eating the US for lunch with the trade deficit.” This sentiment reflects Trump’s broader focus on his "America First" agenda, where he has consistently advocated for policies that prioritize American economic interests. Mishra explained that Trump is likely to continue pursuing such economic policies during his second term, which may include the imposition of trade tariffs even at the risk of antagonizing allies. Mishra pointed to Trump’s campaign pledge to impose a 20 percent tax on all imports and a 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods, which underscores his serious commitment to reshaping trade policies in favor of the US.
Despite these potential trade tensions, Mishra remains optimistic about the future of US-India relations, seeing Trump’s second term as a promising opportunity for strengthening ties between the two countries. Mishra believes that Trump’s close relationship with Modi could facilitate deeper cooperation on a range of issues, including defense, technology, and trade. He noted that Trump has repeatedly admired Modi, calling him a leader he “loves,” and has spoken about visiting India in the near future. Mishra recalled that the day after Trump’s victory, during a lunch with the family, Trump once again emphasized his fondness for Modi, saying, "I spoke to Prime Minister Modi and I love that guy. I’m going to go to India next year."
Mishra pointed out the depth of the bond between Trump and India, describing it as something rare in the history of US presidencies. He remarked, “I’ve never seen any US President really being genuine about it,” highlighting the authenticity of Trump’s regard for India. Mishra also suggested that the dynamic between Trump and Modi could lead to a stronger, more enduring partnership, with the possibility of India becoming an even more important ally for the US in the coming years.
Looking ahead, Mishra predicted that Trump’s second term could further solidify Modi’s leadership and strengthen India’s global standing. He suggested that this period could be seen as a “golden era” for US-India relations, with the two countries working together more closely than ever before. Mishra framed this as “Trump 2.0 leading to Modi 20,” a reference to Modi potentially serving as India’s Prime Minister for an uninterrupted two decades from 2014 to 2034. This vision includes a deepening partnership where both Trump and Modi enjoy strong political support in their respective countries, thus fostering a more strategic and cohesive relationship between the two nations. Mishra likened it to having a best friend in the White House and another best friend in New Delhi, referring to Modi’s residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
Mishra was also asked about the possibility of Trump pivoting towards China if offered favorable terms, but he dismissed the idea, pointing out the ongoing tensions between the US and China. He suggested that the Republican Party's ideology would not support any significant shift in policy toward China. “There’s no way,” he said firmly. “India is the natural fit, natural ally. The entire Republican Party’s DNA is not going to do that.”
As Mishra discussed the evolving political landscape, it became clear that his vision for US-India relations under Trump’s second term is one of growing collaboration and mutual respect. However, trade policies and broader geopolitical challenges, especially with China, remain critical factors to watch as the two countries navigate their relationship in the years ahead.
