New Delhi:
India likes to do things differently. While the world is struggling to return to its feet after US President Donald Trump pulled the rug from below, with the announcement of its mutual tariff, some countries, such as China and Canada, retaliated with the tight-for-tat tariff. While China fought the US 34 percent with the same figure, Canada reflected the US by announcing 45 percent levy on the automobile sector. Many other nations arrived in Washington to re -organize their own tariffs to avoid Trump’s mutual step.
India took a different route. It said that it will not vengean the 26 percent tariff declaration for us, nor will it reduce the tariffs that have already been imposed on the US. Instead, New Delhi allegedly planned to absorb, adjust and re -work the trading dynamic that President Trump’s mutual tariff will have a minimum impact on Indian exporters. At the same time, the two nations are intensifying business talks to implement the “win-win” trade deal. Even before Donald Trump announced a mutual tariff, India kept itself in a profitable position by becoming one of the first nations to start a mega trade pact with the US.
Jaishankar-Rubio Phone Call
In this regard, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US State Secretary Marco Rubio spoke on a phone call on Monday. The two leaders agreed that a “initial conclusion” of the bilateral trade agreement would benefit both countries. The two leaders also discussed a detailed discussion on the Indo-Pacific region and the status of the Indian subcontinent.
Shortly after the talks, Dr. Jaishankar said that “It was good to talk with Secretary Marco Rubio today. Indo-Pacific, the Indian sub-continent, Europe, Middle East/West Asia and Caribbean exchange.
Good to speak with @Secrubio Today.
Indo-Pacific, exchanged the approach to Indian sub-continent, Europe, Middle East/West Asia and Caribbean.
Agreed on the importance of the initial conclusion of bilateral trade agreement.
Ready to stay in contact. ,
– Dr. S. jaishankar (@drsjaishankar) 7 April, 2025
According to the Reuters of the news agency, a government official has stated that New Delhi has noticed a section of Trip’s tariff order that provides a potential recurrence for trading partners who take “important steps to measure non-non-traded trade systems”.
Another official told Reuters that India itself has been found better than Asian peers such as China, Vietnam and Indonesia, killed by high American mutual tariffs. New Delhi and Washington have agreed to finalize an early trade deal by autumn 2025 – a one that can completely resolve their differences on tariffs.
India’s recent tricks
However, New Delhi, however, indicated that since the US mutual tariffs are now imposed on India, the terms of the conversation will be at the same position, and will not apply now on the removal of Washington’s subsidy, especially to pharma and agriculture.
But at the same time, India has taken several steps to win over Trump, including reducing tariffs on high-end bikes and borbon whiskey, as well as a completely drew tax levied on digital services, which affect American technical giant such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and X.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Commerce is closely assessing the immediate effect of Trump’s tariff with all stakeholders. It states that response is being taken from exporters, especially those being affected the most – like diamond traders. The department said, it is also studying the opportunities arising from this tariff step.
Strengthen Indo-American relations
India and the United States enjoy a broad-based global strategic partnership covering almost every major domain. This relationship is inspired by shared democratic values, changing strategic interests and engagement of people with dynamic people. High-level exchanges have played an important role in furthering bilateral cooperation.
Both countries also have a strong economic partnership. New Delhi and Washington have set a target of more than $ 500 billion from more than $ 190 billion from current to 2030.
Both nations also invest heavy in each other. In the financial year 2023-24, America was India’s third largest source of FDI, contributing a total of USD 4.99 billion-about 9 percent of the equity flow. Indian companies are also making major investments in the US, with a study of 2023 CIIs, 163 Indian firms have invested over US $ 40 billion, making 425,000 direct American jobs.
(Input from Reuters)