We are familiar with the powerful faces in our country’s Indian politics — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah. A day later, he flew to Kochi, and met the Kerala chief minister, V.D. Oh, and yes, before he took charge as the American envoy, he met Mr Modi in New Delhi on October 11, 2025. There is another factor — President Trump’s displeasure with Mr Modi after the latter’s visit to Israel in February 2026. Once a persuasive presence in the Capital, Mr Sharma is forced to keep a low profile in Lucknow.