Because the July 9 deadline handed, a number of international locations obtained stern letters from Trump threatening steep tariffs. India, regardless of being a major exporter to the US and firmly on Trump's radar, has not. That is no accident. Quite, it's a results of deliberate, calculated diplomacy from India. Indian officers have mentioned right now that additional negotiations are on, indicating India's diplomacy might have been in a position to blunt Trump's tariff aggression.
Additionally Learn: India seeks to dodge Trump's BRICS wrath because it eyes commerce deal
India's strategic resistance however no confrontation
India's method to Trump's stress marketing campaign has been constant: interact, however don't concede. When Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal returned from Washington final week, he made a pointed comment — India wouldn't be rushed right into a deal by arbitrary deadlines. That wasn't only for home consumption. It was a sign to the US administration that whereas India stays open to negotiation, it gained't settle for unfavorable phrases simply to satisfy a political timeline.
This technique hinges on two rules: endurance and preparation. India has stored negotiation channels open, even dispatching groups to Washington for a number of rounds of dialogue. On the similar time, it has prevented dramatic public statements or reactive strikes that would escalate tensions. The outcome? India has managed to stay within the recreation with out showing weak or confrontational.
Additionally Learn: Examine full checklist of twenty-two international locations that acquired tariff letters from WashingtonHowever, Trump's tariff threats stay actual, particularly in delicate sectors. His floated concept of a 200% tariff on pharmaceutical imports is especially regarding for India, which is a number one provider of generic medicine to the US. Such a transfer would harm India's pharma exports and ripple via its manufacturing sector. But, regardless of the risk, India has not obtained a proper tariff warning letter like a number of different US buying and selling companions. This implies that Trump sees potential in sealing a take care of India — albeit a restricted one — that he can tout as a victory whereas extra advanced negotiations with different international locations stall.The absence of a proper letter isn't only a courtesy. It's a calculated pause. Trump is aware of that India is perhaps the probably candidate to signal a “mini deal” within the quick time period, particularly as progress with Japan, South Korea and the European Union has slowed dramatically.
Why India appears like a safer wager for Trump
Whereas different nations have dug of their heels, India has stored a door open for progress. Japan has already declared it gained't renegotiate the 2020 bilateral commerce settlement below exterior stress. South Korea has insisted on broader concessions earlier than partaking. And the EU has has dismissed Trump's stress techniques as political theater whereas enjoying hardball.
In distinction, India is actively negotiating and has confirmed that one other delegation will return to Washington shortly. Particular Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has said that discussions are ongoing, as per PTI. Agrawal is the chief negotiator of the proposed India-US bilateral commerce settlement. The goal is to conclude the primary part of this pact by fall (September-October) of this 12 months. Earlier than that, the 2 international locations wish to finalise an interim commerce settlement.
Sources within the authorities have informed ANI that an Indian commerce delegation will revisit Washington DC quickly for in-person negotiations aimed toward finalising a commerce deal. Sources additionally mentioned that apart from in-person conferences, Indian officers have additionally been engaged in a number of digital conferences with their US counterparts in latest weeks.
Additionally Learn: India attempting to finalise commerce take care of US, to go to Washington once more quickly
These efforts sign that India is prepared to achieve a deal, however by itself phrases. That makes India engaging for Trump, who's in determined want of wins after the self-imposed July 9 deadline handed with little to indicate. A commerce settlement, even a slim one targeted on prescribed drugs, digital commerce and restricted agricultural entry, might be paraded as proof that Trump's method nonetheless works.
How laborious is Trump's new August 1 deadline?
Either side are eyeing a realistic settlement. A broad free commerce deal is unlikely, particularly in such a compressed timeline. However a mini deal that covers a handful of high-impact sectors might fulfill each events. Trump might depend it amongst his “90 offers,” whereas India might defend its core financial pursuits comparable to agriculture and dairy and guarantee continued entry to the US market. Whether or not such a deal materializes by August 1, the brand new deadline introduced by Trump, is unclear. Trump has already softened the deadline, calling it “not 100% agency.” For India, this indicators room to manoeuvre with out shedding credibility or showing non-cooperative.
In some ways, India's skill to sidestep the July 9 deadline and keep away from the general public wrath of Trump is a quiet diplomatic victory. By refusing to be cornered by arbitrary timelines and refusing to retaliate, India has positioned itself as a dependable negotiating accomplice with a long-term view. It's a mannequin of measured diplomacy in an more and more transactional world. If India slips previous Trump's smooth August 1 deadline too as a result of negotiations stretching additional, with out getting Trump's letter, it will imply Trump is prepared to offer concessions to India which he denies to different international locations
The weeks forward will likely be important. If India can strike a mini take care of the US with out conceding key coverage house, it will show sheer diplomatic resilience in opposition to one of the vital unpredictable and unstable leaders.
