What happened?
The new U.S. President, Donald Trump, signed his first set of executive orders on his first day in office after taking oath on January 20, 2025. Some of the noteworthy executive orders include the withdrawal of the USA from the Paris Agreement, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the restriction of birthright citizenship.
Why it Matters to India
Donald Trump’s executive orders could have significant implications for India across various domains. His decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement will weaken global climate finance and support mechanisms, which are crucial for India’s clean energy transitions and climate resilience efforts. In the realm of global health, Trump’s move to withdraw U.S. funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) disrupted international health initiatives, indirectly affecting India’s ability to combat pandemics, access vaccines, and benefit from coordinated global health strategies. Additionally, his executive orders restricting birthright citizenship in the U.S. created legal uncertainties for Indian migrants, particularly those with children born in America, potentially reducing the opportunities for Indians to secure U.S. citizenship through family ties.