07/03/2026
The United States will continue to strengthen economic ties and trade with India, but it will do so while keeping its national interests a top priority, according to US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Landau said Washington has learned important lessons from its earlier trade engagement with China and does not want to repeat those mistakes while building economic relations with India. He explained that in the past the US allowed China to expand into many global markets, which eventually led to strong commercial competition against American industries. Because of this experience, Landau said the US will approach its trade partnership with India more cautiously to ensure that any agreement remains fair for American businesses and workers, just as India’s government must safeguard the interests of its own people. At the same time, he clarified that the “America First” policy does not mean the US wants to work alone, but rather that cooperation with other nations should still serve national interests. Landau also emphasised India’s growing global influence, saying the direction of the 21st century will be closely connected to India’s rise due to its large population, economic potential, and strategic importance. His remarks come after India and the United States recently finalised a framework for an interim trade agreement under the broader US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement. As part of the arrangement, the US agreed to reduce its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18% and also removed a 25% punitive tariff that had been imposed on India over its purchases of Russian oil, marking a step toward expanding trade cooperation between the two countries.
