‘Indians Should Be Proud’: Experts Praise India-US Trade Deal as a Diplomatic Achievement

Following the release of the framework for the India-US trade deal, experts have lauded the move, calling it not only a strategic decision by India but also a diplomatic milestone that the nation should take pride in.

Framework for Trade Deal Announced
Washington: India and the United States have released an interim framework for their trade deal. Under this framework, the U.S. has offered significant tariff relief to India, reducing tariffs to 18%. The most notable relief comes from the removal of the punitive 25% tariff previously imposed on Russian oil imports.

In return, India has agreed to gradually reduce its purchase of Russian oil and diversify its energy imports, including sourcing more from the United States. While some critics have labeled this move as a misstep, the experts have dismissed such criticism.

Experts Hail India’s Decision
Columnist and geopolitics expert Sadanand Dhume, writing for the Wall Street Journal and on X (formerly Twitter), called India’s reduction of Russian oil imports a correct and strategic move. He described the trade deal as a diplomatic achievement and criticized detractors, stating that the government cannot compromise the economy simply to appease opinion writers.

Dhume emphasized that India should clearly state:

1. It has agreed to reduce Russian oil imports in exchange for the removal of punitive U.S. tariffs.
2. This step is entirely justified, as India can source oil from other markets. Facing some of the highest U.S. tariff rates in the world, India could not realistically expect to attract large-scale investment or remain globally competitive without strategic concessions.
3. The India-US trade deal, achieved through significant effort, is both an economic and diplomatic accomplishment that Indians should be proud of. No responsible government should undermine the economy to satisfy left-leaning opinion makers.

India’s Achievement Recognized Globally
South Asia expert Michael Kugelman also praised India’s strategic approach in a Navbharat Times article. He noted that India has demonstrated it does not need to appease former U.S. President Trump to have its voice heard. He commended India’s patience and resilience, highlighting that despite numerous challenges over the past year, India maintained strong relations with Russia while also ensuring stability in ties with China.

Experts agree that the deal marks a significant milestone for India on both diplomatic and economic fronts, reflecting strategic foresight and global negotiation skill.