Modi ji, Trump and the Modern Sursa: A Sundar Kand-Inspired Reflection

By Vinod Popat

In the grand theatre of global diplomacy, sometimes mythological wisdom can shed more light than any economic theory or political commentary. Watching recent developments in the ongoing tariff tussle between India and the United States, I was reminded—almost humorously—of a famous episode from the Sundar Kand of the Ramayan.

It’s the story of Hanumanji’s journey to Lanka in search of Sitaji.

Midway across the sea, he is confronted by the formidable demoness Sursa, who claims it is her destiny to eat him. Hanumanji, unshaken, responds by enlarging himself. Sursa does the same. The contest escalates—big, bigger, biggest—until Hanumanji suddenly shifts gears. He shrinks himself, slips into her mouth, and emerges from her nose. “Now you’ve eaten me,” he says with a smile, “let me go.”

Impressed by his humility, wit, and agility, Sursa blesses him and lets him pass.

Now, cast your eyes to the present. The U.S., under President Trump , has been engaging in a battle of tariffs—a kind of modern economic arm-wrestling where each nation tries to outdo the other. The trend is clear: go big, then go bigger. Retaliate. Escalate. Flex muscles.

Yet, in the midst of this global game of economic brinkmanship, PM Narendra Modi seems to be taking a page out of Hanumanji’s playbook.

Rather than rising to every provocation or matching every tariff with one of his own, India has recently reduced some tariffs and lowered trade barriers. It’s as though Modi ji has chosen not to play the “bigger-than-you” game. Instead, he’s gone small—strategically, diplomatically, perhaps even symbolically—sidestepping direct confrontation.

Like Hanumanji, Modi ji hasn’t backed down. He’s simply outmaneuvered.

This is not just clever diplomacy—it is deeply rooted in dharma, in tact, in timing, and in recognising when force must give way to finesse. Modi ji, like Hanumanji, is saying: “You’ve got what you wanted—so now let’s move on.” The real question is, will today’s Sursa—represented by the U.S. economic establishment—bless him as the original one did, or seek another round of challenge?

This moment reminds us of India’s ancient wisdom, where victory doesn’t always come from size or strength, but often from wit, humility, and strategy.

Sometimes the biggest leap forward comes from knowing when to grow tall and when to shrink down and slip through the cracks.

As the global order evolves and India asserts itself more confidently on the world stage, let’s not forget the quiet, smiling hero of the Ramayan—Hanumanji—and the enduring power of moving wisely rather than just loudly.

Let’s see what happens next. Will modern-day Sursa smile… or strike again?