- US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that Washington is finalizing a trade deal with India while ensuring it prioritizes American interests to avoid past economic imbalances seen with China.
- The agreement follows a major breakthrough last month where the US slashed effective tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18% in exchange for New Delhi reducing energy imports from Russia.
- Landau emphasized that
The United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that the US will not repeat the 20-year-old mistake with India, while addressing the press on economic advantages at the Raisina Dialogue on Thursday.
In India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, Landau added that the trade agreement with India is currently being negotiated, in which American interests will be prioritised, even as Washington seeks to deepen its partnership with New Delhi.
Landau further said, “While the US wants to work with India to unlock its ‘limitless potential,' India should understand that ‘we are not going to make the same mistakes with India that we made with China 20 years ago. We're going to make sure that whatever we do, it's fair to our people. Because ultimately, we have to be accountable to our own people, just as the government of India has to be accountable to its people.'”
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He shared US President Trump's vision on the trade relationship between the two countries, stating, “So just as President Trump wants to make America great again, he would expect the Prime Minister of India or other leaders to want to make their countries great again.”
“It is in our interest, and we think it is also in India's interest to be partners. We have many win-win situations with India,” said Landau. “I think one of the things that is undeniable is that this century is going to be, in many ways, a century in which we expect to see the rise of India,” he added.
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Landau also expressed interest in resolving issues on all aspects to work with India to address its energy challenges, as supply disruptions from the Middle East crisis threaten fuel stockpiles.
As the trade negotiations are expected to expand economic cooperation and significantly benefit both nations, the “America First” doctrine cannot be a hurdle for the economic growth of its counterpart. Last month, trade between the US and India witnessed a cut in tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%.
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