New Delhi: India will have to understand that the US will prioritise American interests in the proposed trade deal between the two countries. This was made clear by US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau on Thursday.
He, however, said that Washington still sees strong potential for a mutually beneficial partnership with New Delhi.
Landau said the US had learned lessons from its economic engagement with China and would approach trade with India differently, while speaking at the annual Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
“India should understand that we’re not going to make the same mistakes with India that we made with China 20 years ago in terms of saying, Oh, you know, we’re going to let you, be able to develop all these markets,’ and then the next thing we know, you’re beating us in a lot of commercial things,” he said.
“We’re going to make sure that whatever we do, it’s fair to our people. Because ultimately, we have to be accountable to our own people, just as the government of India has to be accountable to its people,” Landau added.
Washington’s “America First” approach does not imply isolationism, he clarified.
“America First obviously does not mean America alone, because one of the ways that you can accomplish those objectives is through cooperation with
other countries,” he said.
National interest is a principle shared by all governments, he said, as reported by TOI.
“So just as President Trump wants to make America great again, he would expect the Prime Minister of India or other leaders to want to make their countries great again,” Landau remarked.
He stressed that the US views India as a key player in shaping global developments in the coming decades. “I think one of the things that is undeniable is that this century is going to be, in many ways, a century in which we expect to see the rise of India,” the US deputy secretary of state said.
“And it’s in our interest, and we think it’s also in India’s interest, to be partnered. This is a country of all its potential. It’s now the world’s most populous country. It has incredible economic, human, and other resources that make it one of the countries that’s going to decide the future of this century,” he added.
The US sees several opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, Landau said, reiterating Washington’s interest in strengthening ties.
“I want to highlight the importance of India as we look around the world in the 21st century and see what are the relationships that we really want to cultivate. And again, I’m not here to do social work or charity. I’m here because it’s in the interest of our country, and we think it’s in the interest of India to deepen our partnership,” he said.
“We are very excited about the trade deal that is almost at the finish line now,” he added.
Landau’s remarks come amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and New Delhi over a proposed bilateral trade agreement aimed at expanding market access and boosting commercial ties.