India Signals Tough Stance in Trade Talks with U.S., Report Reveals It Was Ready to Wait Out Trump Term

New Delhi: Even as India and the United States have finalized their long-anticipated trade agreement, a Bloomberg report has revealed a previously undisclosed dimension of the negotiations: New Delhi had conveyed to Washington that it was prepared to wait until the end of President Donald Trump’s term rather than yield to pressure.

According to officials familiar with the matter, India made it clear during high-level discussions that it would not be coerced into signing a deal on unfavorable terms. The message reportedly reflected the Modi government’s firm negotiating posture at a time when bilateral tensions were elevated by sharp rhetoric from the Trump administration and the imposition of 50% tariffs on certain Indian exports.

The report cites a meeting in early September 2025 between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the talks, Doval is said to have stressed that India would not be intimidated by public criticism from Washington and was prepared to endure a prolonged standoff if necessary. He also urged the U.S. leadership to tone down public attacks in order to stabilize diplomatic ties.

This revelation is significant because the Trump administration has presented the final trade deal as a major victory for American interests, particularly for the U.S. agricultural sector. Agriculture and dairy had long been considered sensitive “red line” sectors for India, making the negotiations especially delicate.

Following the September meeting, observers noted a moderation in public statements from senior U.S. officials. Later that month, President Trump personally called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convey birthday greetings — a gesture seen by diplomats as a sign of easing tensions.

Bloomberg reported that its account is based on information from officials in New Delhi with direct knowledge of the private discussions, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Both India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the U.S. State Department declined to comment on the reported meeting.

President Trump announced the conclusion of the trade deal on his Truth Social platform, bypassing traditional diplomatic protocol. While confirming a conversation with Trump, Prime Minister Modi did not reference the agreement in his own public statement. India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal later confirmed that negotiations, which began in February 2025, had reached a final stage.

The episode underscores the increasingly complex balance of cooperation and strategic autonomy that defines the India–U.S. relationship, as both countries seek economic partnership without compromising core national interests.