Beyond China, Beyond America: Amitav Acharya on India’s Global Play

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 22:42 IST

The Indian-origin scholar at American University challenges the populist assertion that Indian professionals are 'stealing' jobs from the core support base of President Trump

The New York Times has released a significant episode of its podcast and opinion series, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat, featuring the acclaimed international relations scholar Amitav Acharya. The discussion, titled “Welcome to the Indian Century", provides a comprehensive examination of India’s ascent as a global leader in waiting, juxtaposing its strategic trajectory with that of China and the shifting priorities of the United States.

The Myth of the Job Thief

One of the most provocative segments of the conversation addresses the “MAGA" narrative surrounding H-1B visas. Professor Acharya, an Indian-origin scholar at American University, explicitly challenges the populist assertion that Indian professionals are “stealing" jobs from the core support base of President Donald Trump. He argues that this perception is a fundamental misconception, as the skill sets of H-1B holders—largely concentrated in high-end tech and Silicon Valley—occupy an entirely different economic tier than the domestic jobs typically sought by the populist base. Acharya notes that while the sheer volume of visas (historically around 70 per cent) creates a political “optics" problem in an era of heightened nationalism, the reality is that these professionals are recruited by American firms precisely because their skills are indispensable to US competitiveness.

India vs China: A Different Kind of Power

Acharya draws on his extensive experience living in both China and India to contrast their grand strategies. He posits that while Beijing is “obsessed" with becoming the global “Number One" and directly overtaking the United States, New Delhi is pursuing a more “multi-aligned" and pluralistic vision. India, he suggests, does not seek to replace the US as a singular hegemon; rather, it thrives on being a bridge between the West and the Global South. This “multi-alignment" allows India to navigate a “multiplex" world where influence is shared across multiple centres of power, rather than a binary US-China standoff.

The Diaspora and the ‘Multiplex’ World

A central theme of the discussion is the role of the Indian diaspora. Acharya bluntly states that what India primarily wants from its overseas citizens is “money"—remittances and investment—but also their influence in shaping the interests of their host nations in favour of New Delhi. He explores how the diaspora acts as a vehicle for India’s “civilisational" influence, allowing the country to project power through cultural and economic networks rather than just military force.

A Post-American Optimism

The episode serves as a follow-up to Acharya’s broader thesis, recently detailed in his book The Once and Future World Order. He remains optimistic about the decline of Western dominance, arguing that the end of an American-centric system is not synonymous with global chaos. Instead, he envisions a more inclusive and fairer global order—one where non-Western civilisations, led by a rising India, finally have a seat at the table to define the rules of international engagement.

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