Who Should Bear the Cost of Trump's Visit to India?

There is a widespread misconception that the cost of such high-profile visits, like that of U.S. President Donald Trump to India, is opaque and mysterious. While some argue that only the government can truly know the cost, others point to governmental protocols. However, in reality, the ultimate payer is the taxpayer. Let us explore the financial implications and the broader context of these visits.

The Role of Taxpayer Money

The Indian government spends a significant amount on world tours, such as Prime Minister Modi's trips, often inshallah (God willing) there is a junior team to handle the affairs. These extravagant tours often amount to thousands of crores, which could have been significantly reduced if a more judicious approach was taken. The taxpayer is therefore the silent and often invisible finance behind these extravagant setups.

Modi's world tours are notorious for their grandeur, with huge security and protocol setups that divert from the core mission. His trips are often described as "tamasha" (entertainment) rather than business-oriented missions. This self-destructive behavior has drawn criticisms from various quarters; it reflects a lack of strategic foresight and accountability.

Context and Critiques

Trump's visit to India is not a neutral affair; it has brought to light certain contentious issues such as tariffs and trade relations. Trump has openly criticized India for high tariffs, demanding a reduction in tariffs for American products and services. In a similar vein, the U.S. has removed India from the list of developing countries, signaling reduced aid and more stringent trade terms.

These actions, while understandable in the context of international relations, should not be celebrated but analyzed critically. Prime Minister Modi's extravagant welcome does nothing to address these issues and instead exacerbates them. His response to these challenges is to convert them into a grand spectacle rather than addressing the underlying issues in a substantive way.

ThisSETS a dangerous precedent, allowing politicians to continue making expensive foreign trips with little to show for it. The lack of accountability in such matters is alarming and has the potential to undermine public trust in government.

Accountability and Public Demand

The public must demand accountability, much like in the corporate world. We cannot accept that government expenditures are shrouded in secrecy. Just as businesses are held accountable for their spending compared to their revenue, the government must be transparent about its expenditures, including those related to foreign visits.

The question of who should bear the cost of such visits is not merely a financial one but a matter of ethics and governance. We must ensure that our leaders are not using public funds for personal or political gain but for the greater good. The current situation in India, where even a $100 crore (or approximately 100 crores) expenditure is considered extravagant, is symptomatic of a broader issue in governance.

Strategic Importance

While it is true that international relations can be complex, it does not justify the lack of transparency or accountability. Questions about the cost and purpose of such visits are entirely valid and should not be dismissed as trivial.

Communist countries, for instance, have different models of governance and may allocate funds differently. However, the core principle of accountability remains the same. The image of a "poor" country should not be an excuse for ignoring the public's right to know and to be involved in decisions that affect their lives.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India is the fifth-largest economy in terms of nominal GDP and the third-largest in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). A 5-trillion-dollar economy should be able to manage its foreign visits with a more transparent and cost-effective approach.

Strategic decisions should be left to the authorities, but the public has a right to scrutinize and question the reasoning behind these decisions. We must push for a governance model that is both accountable and efficient.

Conclusion

The high cost of Trump's visit to India is a microcosm of the broader governance issues in the country. While international relations are complex, the principle of transparency and accountability must not be compromised. The public must continue to demand clarity and make their voices heard. Only through such pressure can we ensure that government actions are guided by the will of the people and not self-centered considerations.