Rama Krishna Sangem
Many in our country would be wondering why US president Donald Trump is not that friendly with India, as we expect him to be. We all notice that these days he is not quite happy with India and Indian government on various issues. One reason is given by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has explained for the situation. That the US is not miffed over India’s close ties with Russia, especially for buying its oil and defence purchases.
At the same time, he has said a trade agreement between the United States and India could be finalised in the “not-too-distant future”, pointing to a growing alignment in strategic and economic interests. That means, the US would improve its relations with India, if we distance ourselves from Russia on a range of issues in future.
Speaking at the eighth US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, Lutnick confirmed that “you should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not too distant future.” He added, “When they put the right person in India, put the right person on the other side of the table, and we’ve managed (that), I think.”
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said a trade agreement between the United States and India could be finalised in the “not-too-distant future”, pointing to a growing alignment in strategic and economic interests.
Speaking at the eighth US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, Lutnick confirmed that “you should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not too distant future.” He added, “When they put the right person in India, put the right person on the other side of the table, and we’ve managed (that), I think.”
But, happy over India buying US military equipment
However, Lutnick made it clear that this is changing: “I think India [is] starting to move towards buying military equipment from the United States, which then goes a long way. And these kind of things—just creating that relationship—being a part of BRICS, which is, ‘oh, let’s move to not support the dollar and dollar hegemony’—that’s not really the way to make friends and influence people in America.”
He praised India’s openness to addressing these concerns directly. “The President calls that out directly and specifically, and the Indian government is addressing it specifically. And that’s how you move on to a really positive place. Put it on the table, address it straight on, resolve it straight on and get to a really good place. And I think that’s where we are,” he said.
India’s historical reliance on Russia for defence equipment has long been a sticking point in its relations with Washington. With the backdrop of increasing US sanctions on Russian firms and growing pressure on global partners to reduce ties with Moscow, New Delhi’s procurement strategy has drawn scrutiny.
Lutnick acknowledged this history but stressed that things are changing. “The President calls that out directly and specifically, and the Indian government is addressing it specifically. And that’s how you move on to a really positive place,” he said.
