ThePrint NationalInterest: Trump brings the Age of Humiliation for friends. Modi’s stoicism abroad needs much humility at home
Mar 8, 2026
A critique of a new US approach that openly pressures and shames allied nations. A look at how that tactic affects India and Modi’s measured responses abroad. Discussion of India diversifying partnerships and shoring up strategic options. An argument that domestic humility, political unity and stronger institutions are needed to withstand external pressure.
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Trump's Age Of Humiliation For Allies
- Donald Trump has ushered in an age of public humiliation aimed mainly at US allies and friends.
- Shekhar Gupta catalogs insults to leaders from Europe, Canada, South Africa and others to show a pattern of transactional bullying.
Trucker Slogan Framing US Bullying
- Gupta uses an Indian trucker slogan to illustrate the dynamic: 'Aisa koi saga nahi jisko humne thaga nahi' rephrased as allies being swindled.
- The metaphor frames US behavior as habitual public swindling of close partners.
Pragmatic Insults Versus Strategic Indulgence
- Trump's approach mixes pragmatism with public insult: he attacks reliant friends while being conciliatory to rivals like China and Russia.
- Gupta points out he is transactional, using allies when useful but publicly demeaning them to assert dominance.