Why Modi May Not Have Backed Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Nomination

Although I don’t always trust New York Times, if it is to be believed then Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused to back President Trump’s name for the Noble Peace Prize. While this report has no official confirmation from India, it is possible that Modi chose not to support it.

But why?

Possible reasons include:

1. Modi did not support Trump’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities. One reason may be to avoid upsetting Russia, which condemned the strike as “absolutely unprovoked aggression” with “no justification.” While it is a fact that sometimes force is the only option to bring in peace and in that light Trump’s action could be seen as a necessary step given Iran’s repeated threats to wipe out Israel, Modi saw stronger reasons to disagree with Trump. Being viewed globally as a peace-oriented leader, openly backing such aggression would have undermined his image and India’s diplomatic balance.
2. Another, and more likely reason is that Pakistan had already nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize on the claim that he ended the India–Pakistan war, a claim that India has consistently and aggressively rejected. If Modi supported Trump’s nomination, it would have implied acceptance of Pakistan’s narrative, effectively reversing India’s diplomatic stance. And this is when, in reality, the ceasefire followed only after Pakistan’s DGMO called his Indian counterpart to request it. For Modi, therefore, indirectly endorsing Pakistan’s claim by backing Trump’s nomination was out of the question.
3. A less likely reason could be that in the past Modi’s own name has been suggested by some prominent world leaders for the Nobel Peace Prize, and while he may not seek it personally, he would certainly welcome the honour as the Prime Minister of India.

Whatever the reason, once Trump’s name has already been officially nominated, any subsequent nomination of Modi could easily be perceived as a divisive tactic pitting two prominent world leaders against each other and fuelling fresh competition and tension, especially in the backdrop of Trump’s recent anti-India remarks and his later attempt to call for a truce. I believe Modi, being a seasoned politician, is surely aware of this and will not fall into such traps laid by those who cannot stand the idea of Modi and Trump, or India and the United States, working together.