Racism and rank xenophobia tend to be poison pills as far as international relations are concerned.
The Trump administration — despite its chest-beating and appearing to relish embodying the “ugly American” stereotype — is learning this firsthand in its dealings with India.
Indian Americans helped elect Donald Trump in 2024. Nonetheless, some in the MAGA movement have flaunted anti-Indian bigotry, including through racist attacks on Trump-aligned figures such as FBI Director Kash Patel, Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and cybersecurity official Madhu Gottumukkala.
Trump himself faced condemnation from Indian officials recently after he reposted a racist social media post that grouped India with “hellhole” countries.
Those comments have added tension to America’s relationship with India, on top of the tension Trump’s tariffs and war with Iran have already created. That helps explain why multiple outlets framed Rubio’s visit to India as an effort to “mend” or “repair” strained ties.
Ja’han Jones is an MS NOW opinion blogger. He previously wrote The ReidOut Blog.