India - US Ties - A Positive Outcome Expected

The US agreed to increase US oil and gas exports to India, which will reduce India's reliance on other countries. India offered concessions without compromising India's core interests and I am sure that the US has realised that it can count on India as a trusted partner, very relevant in the US economic agenda.

- R K PACHNANDA

India is carefully and successfully crafting a policy to navigate the tariffs on exports through a judicious mix of strategic restraint, proactive trade negotiation and leveraging competitive advantages by favorably positioning itself in a shifting global landscape. This is because President Trump's tariff policy offers relief to nations taking "significant steps to remedy non-reciprocal trade arrangements".

Our negotiations aim to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 and include concessions like tariff cuts on US imports including abrogating a digital services tax affecting US tech firms. Higher is tariff on competitors like China, Bangladesh and Vietnam which will provide India a relative edge in electronics, machinery and textiles. In fact, India can capture the market share successfully.

Considering the success of PM Modi's US visit, India is handling the tariffs with patience and adapting its resilient economy of growth to evolving trade dynamics.

In fact, the proposed visit of Vice-President Pence has given positive indications. Reportedly, India and US are in the process of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement which may be a win-win situation for both countries. This is also a reflection of PM Modi's visit to the United States which marked a new era in India-US relations, refurbishing the strategic partnership between the two countries.