In his commentary, Justice Katju argues that the suspension of foreign aid by President Donald Trump could serve as a catalyst for India’s self-reliance. He posits that reliance on foreign aid post-independence reflects a lack of self-respect and leads to economic dependency, often with exploitative conditions attached. Katju draws a parallel with China’s beneficial experience after the Soviet Union withdrew aid in 1960, suggesting that this could similarly spur India to harness its vast human and natural resources to become an industrial powerhouse. He advocates for India to rise independently on the global stage, free from the shackles of foreign aid.