We want America to respect our red lines, says Jaishankar

UNDERLINING THAT “THERE are things you can negotiate and there are things you can’t’, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said Sunday that India has been in talks with the US for “a trade understanding” where “our bottom lines and red lines are respected”.

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He also said both sides “have not arrived at a landing ground for our trade discussions”.

Speaking at the concluding session of the Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, Jaishankar, referring to the Trump administration’s imposition of 50% tariffs on India including 25% over its purchase of Russian oil, said, “I am not minimising the issues, but I don’t think we should take it to a point, as though this is going to percolate to every dimension of the relationship...we need to see this in proportion.”

The US has been seeking access for its products in India’s agriculture and dairy markets. In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, without naming the US or its imposition of tariffs, said he is “standing like a wall” against any adverse policy that could impact Indian farmers, fisherfolk and cattle keepers.

Jaishankar, on being asked about the state of India-US ties, said, “There are issues, nobody is in denial. I also want to say a large part of the relationship is actually continuing, either as business as usual or in fact, in some cases, more than that.”

“Today, a big part of our issues with the US is the fact that we have not arrived at a landing ground for our trade discussions. And the inability so far to reach there has led to a certain tariff being levied,” he said.