🇮🇳🤝🇺🇸 India’s Trade Stance: Pragmatism Over Pressure

India is signaling a clear shift in its trade diplomacy—with both the United States and ASEAN—by prioritizing long-term national interest over short-term deals.

A proposed India-U.S. bilateral trade agreement, once considered within reach, is now stalling—largely due to unresolved issues in dairy and agriculture. The U.S. insists on stringent standards; India, in turn, refuses to compromise on sensitive sectors just to bypass tariff threats.

At the same time, India is re-evaluating its 2009 FTA with ASEAN. Despite 9 review meetings in a year, little progress has been made. Why? Because while Indian exports to ASEAN have doubled, imports—especially from Chinese-origin goods routed through ASEAN—have tripled, worsening our trade deficit.

What does this mean?

✅ India is no longer willing to accept trade terms that result in imbalanced benefits.

✅ We're pushing back against indirect dumping of Chinese goods through ASEAN channels.

✅ We're asserting our right to negotiate deals that are fair, future-proof, and strategically sound.

This is not protectionism—this is a recalibration. A new India that is confident, constructive, and careful in crafting global partnerships.

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