New Delhi [India], February 3 (ANI): Arun Ok Singh, former Indian Ambassador to the United States, on Tuesday termed the current discount in US tariffs on Indian exports as a major transfer that removes a ‘aggressive drawback’ for the nation.
Speaking to ANI, he famous that the deal helps right a months-long imbalance through which Indian sectors equivalent to gems and jewelry, textiles, and leather-based have been struggling towards rivals, together with Vietnam and Bangladesh. Ambassador Singh highlighted that whereas the deal supplies financial reduction, it has sparked a deeper debate relating to India’s ‘strategic autonomy’ and the reliability of the US as a associate beneath the Trump administration.
Reflecting on the catalyst for the settlement, he famous that the US stance shifted noticeably after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic engagements in China and Russia.
‘Till the Prime Minister’s go to to China for the SCO Summit, feedback from individuals round President Trump have been very essential. But after the optics of the PM’s conferences with President Putin and President Xi, the tone modified. President Trump started posting that India and PM Modi are nice pals,’ Singh mentioned.
He additional famous that the India-EU commerce settlement acted as a serious driver.
‘The US administration felt it was time to maneuver from its inflexible place as a result of it feared European firms would achieve higher market entry to India’s rising financial system, leaving US firms at a drawback,’ Singh added.
Addressing the friction over India’s buy of Russian oil, Singh dismissed it as a ‘manufactured thorn.’ He emphasised that India won’t enable its bilateral relationships to be dictated by a 3rd get together.
‘India will take choices primarily based by itself pursuits. Russian oil purchases have been inside the framework of US sanctions and the value cap. If Venezuelan oil turns into out there at higher costs, India might shift, but it surely will not cut back purchases to zero simply because President Trump says so,’ the previous diplomat asserted.
He drew a parallel with US-Pakistan relations, stating, ‘India doesn’t say we can’t have a relationship with you if in case you have a optimistic relationship with Pakistan. Similarly, the US can’t make their relationship with India depending on India’s different bilateral ties.’
Despite the ‘upswing’ in relations following the commerce deal, Singh suggested a coverage of ‘hedging’ to make sure India isn’t security-dependent on the US, in contrast to Japan or South Korea.
‘Even as we deepen the partnership with the US, which is the world’s largest shopper market and a frontrunner in know-how, we should diversify. We should make sure the US doesn’t have coercive energy over us,’ Singh mentioned.
He lauded each nations for retaining essential pillars of cooperation, equivalent to defence and know-how, useful even throughout the top of commerce tensions. He cited the current 10-year defence framework settlement and ongoing dialogues on essential minerals as proof of a resilient partnership.
‘The proven fact that defence coverage dialogues and ministerial visits continued throughout the troublesome section exhibits each side worth the connection. With this irritant [tariffs] out of the best way, the main focus will return to deepening ties, albeit with a extra cautious and diversified method,’ he concluded. (ANI)