Washington: Immediately without the recent big trade deal between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi, India has unmistakably indicated that this partnership will not be limited to just reducing tariffs. Now the matter has gone vastitude that.
In this series, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited America from 2 to 4 February. His objective was clear, to take India-US economic relations to the next level and start working rapidly on new priorities, expressly in strategic areas like hair-trigger minerals.
Why is the trade deal considered so important?
In this try-on spoken by Trump, the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods has been reduced from 25% to 18%. Indian exporters are going to goody directly from this. This is relief news for sectors like manufacturing, pharma and renewable energy. The government believes that this will increase factories, bring investment and create employment opportunities. This is moreover stuff considered as a step to strengthen 'Make in India'.
What was the conversation with the US Treasury?
Jaishankar met Scott Bessant as soon as he reached Washington. This meeting was important considering converting the deal made at the political level into ground reality is not an easy task. Both sides openly discussed issues like largest market access, coordination of rules and ease of doing business. The objective was that the try-on should not remain just on paper, but the companies and businessmen should get real benefits.
Why so much accent on hair-trigger minerals?
After this, Jaishankar met Marco Rubio. The focus here was on hair-trigger minerals, i.e. those minerals that are essential for semiconductors, defence, electric vehicles and wipe energy. The United States Department of State moreover unmistakably said that both the countries want to work together in exploration, mining and processing of these minerals. In fact, a large part of the world's supply is dependent on China and both countries want to reduce this dependence.
What is the plan on supply uniting security?
America wants to create a strong supply uniting with trusted partner countries. For this purpose, the first Hair-trigger Minerals Ministerial Conference is moreover stuff held in Washington, in which India is participating. It is well-spoken from this that it is not just a matter of trade but moreover of strategic security.
Is this partnership rhadamanthine increasingly widespread now?
This visit showed that India-US relations are no longer limited to just defense or traditional trade. Issues like energy, nuclear power, technology, supply uniting and Indo-Pacific security are moreover included on the agenda.
In simple language, both the countries now want a long-race partnership, where economic benefits and strategic interests go hand in hand. This is not just a deal, but a new installment in relationships.
