Geopolitics expert: In Trump 2.0, India should be seen as independent, not a US ally.

• Kishore Mahbubani, a Singaporean geopolitics expert, suggests India should remain independent rather than ally with the U.S. in the face of Trump 2.0.

• Mahbubani, who was Singapore’s Ambassador to the United Nations and Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, believes that U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term will be “completely unrestrained” in his demands on tariffs, geopolitics, and other issues.

• He believes that India should be seen as an independent pole in a multipolar world with more options than Japan, which is a completely dependent pole on the U.S.

• Mahbubani also foresaw a more assertive China and U.S. jockeying for global power, but did not think a war over Taiwan was imminent.

• He believes that Trump is better placed to make a deal with China as he is not seen as being in any way soft on China.

• Mahbubani suggests revisiting trading arrangements in Asia like the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the South Asia Free Trade Agreement, citing economic studies showing India would benefit from a bigger market.