US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on Thursday that the trade agreement currently being negotiated with India will prioritize US interests, even as Washington seeks to deepen its partnership with New Delhi.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Landau emphasized that while the US values cooperation with India, it will ensure that any agreement remains beneficial to US citizens.
“India must understand that we will not make the same mistakes with India that we made with China twenty years ago,” Landau said. “We will make sure that everything we do will be fair to our people. Because at the end of the day, we have to be accountable to our people, just as the government of India has to be accountable to its people.”
His remarks came as India and the United States continue negotiations on a bilateral trade framework that both sides say could significantly expand economic cooperation.
Addressing perceptions of the administration’s foreign policy approach, Landau explained that the “America First” principle does not mean isolation.
He said: “It is clear that the slogan ‘America First’ does not mean America alone, because one of the ways in which you can achieve these goals is through cooperation with other countries.”
Landau also formulated the national interest as a principle shared by all sovereign nations, noting that leaders around the world pursue policies aimed at strengthening their countries.
“So, just as President Trump wants to make America great again, he expects India’s Prime Minister or other leaders to want to make their country great again,” he added.
The US official described India as a country whose rise will shape global politics and economics in the coming decades.
“I think one of the things that is undeniable is that this century will be, in many ways, a century in which we expect to see the rise of India,” Landau said.
Highlighting India’s demographic and economic potential, he said the partnership between the two countries is driven by common strategic and economic interests.
He pointed out, “This is a country with all its potential. It is now the largest country in the world in terms of population. It has amazing economic, human and other resources that make it one of the countries that will decide the future of this century.”
Landau also reiterated Washington’s commitment to strengthening ties with India, saying the US sees several “win-win situations” in expanding the relationship.
He said: “I want to highlight the importance of India as we look around the world in the 21st century and see what relationships we really want to develop. I am not here to do social or charitable work. I am here because it is in the interest of our country, and we believe it is in India’s interest to deepen our partnership.”
Giving an update on the negotiations, Landau said the two sides are close to finalizing the agreement.
“We are very excited about the trade agreement, which is almost at the finish line now,” he added.
Earlier this year, India and the United States announced a framework for an interim agreement on mutually beneficial trade, while reaffirming their commitment to negotiating a broader bilateral trade agreement launched by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
