Trump wall may be incomplete but India has built one for him

India is hastily erecting a 1,640-ft wall to keep a slum housing 2,000 residents away from the Potus' prying eyes.

US President Donald Trump is apparently trampling over dozens of federal contracting laws to expedite the construction of his promised border wall with Mexico to keep out undocumented immigrants. No less than 10 federal laws had to be sidestepped this week via some 16 waivers, sacrificing silly requirements like open competition and giving losing bidders a chance to protest decisions, in order to fast-track 283km of the wall in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Simultaneously, some 15,000km away, India is hastily erecting a 1,640-ft wall to keep a slum housing 2,000 residents away from the Potus' prying eyes when he visits Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat early next week. You see, the US President's motorcade is scheduled to drive past the road next to the slum, and the 4ft-high wall, part of the 'beautification and cleanliness drive' according to Ahmedabad mayor Bijal Patel, will offer security. Trump is scheduled to travel all the way from the airport to Sabarmati Ashram (7km away) and from there to the world's largest cricket stadium (another 6km) before heading back to the airport (about 10km) to leave for Agra (to visit the Taj Mahal, of course). His 210-minute stay in Ahmedabad is expected to cost the exchequer upwards of Dh40 million.
But considering that Potus will travel at least 23km by road while in Ahmedabad, often called the Boston of India, how would a mere 1.6km-long wall offer security? Nah, it isn't security. It's the optics. In fact, optics is what Trump's India visit is all about. Even before his arrival, Trump dashed hopes of there being any substance to his visit: He confirmed yesterday that he won't be signing the limited trade deal under negotiations between the two countries during his upcoming two-day visit. The other items on his itinerary include ceremonial welcomes, bilateral meetings, private and presidential banquets, and a visit to the Rajghat (a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi).
Oh yes, there's a token business event where he's supposed to meet the captains of India Inc. a few hours before he leaves, but there's no trade deal, remember? If you still think there's more than optics at play, consider this. The mega event at the Motera Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad was to be called 'Kem Chho Trump' ('How are you, Trump' on the lines of last year's 'Howdy Modi' in Texas). The Kem Chho has now been dropped in the favour of Namaste (Hello) to maintain a national theme instead of a regional one. It's all about optics, walls and façades.