India 'red lines' have to be respected: EAM Jaishankar on trade deal with US

Any trade agreement between India and the United States must respect New Delhi's "red lines", External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Sunday, signalling ongoing efforts to reach a mutual understanding amid tensions over tariffs.

- MPOST BUREAU

Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Enclave during an interactive session on "Shaping Foreign Policy in Turbulent Times", Jaishankar acknowledged that issues persist between the two countries, with much of the strain stemming from stalled trade negotiations. "There are things you can negotiate, and there are things you can't," he noted, stressing the importance of safeguarding India's core interests.

The bilateral relationship has been under stress since August, when US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent. This included a 25 per cent additional duty on India's purchase of Russian crude oil, a move India had described as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".

Jaishankar said that while both sides have yet to find a "landing ground" on trade discussions, reaching an understanding remains essential given that the US is the world's largest market.

Journalist Lorenzo D'Agostino, also on the flotilla, said Thunberg was "wrapped in the Israeli flag and paraded like a trophy," a display that drew disbelief and anger from those present. Other activists deported from Israel later corroborated the allegations.