'Won’t make same mistakes with India like we did with China': US official highlights ‘America First’ approach in trade deal

NEW DELHI: United States deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau on Thursday said the proposed trade agreement between India and the US would prioritise American interests, while asserting that Washington still sees strong potential for a mutually beneficial partnership with New Delhi. Speaking at the annual Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Landau said the US had learned lessons from its economic engagement with China and would approach trade with India differently. "India should understand that we're not going to make the same mistakes with India that we made with China 20 years ago in terms of saying, Oh, you know, we're going to let you, be able to develop all these markets,' and then the next thing we know, you're beating us in a lot of commercial things," he said.

"We're going to make sure that whatever we do, it's fair to our people. Because ultimately, we have to be accountable to our own people, just as the government of India has to be accountable to its people," he added. At the same time, Landau clarified that Washington’s “America First” approach does not imply isolationism. "America First obviously does not mean America alone, because one of the ways that you can accomplish those objectives is through cooperation with other countries," he said.

The US official added that pursuing national interest is a principle shared by all governments. "So just as President Trump wants to make America great again, he would expect the Prime Minister of India or other leaders to want to make their countries great again," the deputy secretary of State remarked. Landau also stressed that the United States views India as a key player in shaping global developments in thecoming decades.

"I think one of the things that is undeniable is that this century is going to be, in many ways, a century in which we expect to see the rise of India," he said. Highlighting India's demographic and economic potential, he added that closer cooperation between the two countries would be driven by shared interests rather than goodwill alone. "And it's in our interest, and we think it's also in India's interest, to be partnered.

This is a country of all its potential. It's now the world's most populous country. It has incredible economic, human, and other resources that make it one of the countries that's going to decide the future of this century." Reiterating Washington’s interest in strengthening ties, Landau said the US sees several opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. "I want to highlight the importance of India as we look around the world in the 21st century and see what are the relationships that we really want to cultivate.

And again, I'm not here to do social work or charity. I'm here because it's in the interest of our country, and we think it's in the interest of India to deepen our partnership." Providing an update on the ongoing negotiations, he added that both sides were close to finalising the trade pact. "We are very excited about the trade deal that is almost at the finish line now." The remarks come amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and New Delhi over a proposed bilateral trade agreement aimed at expanding market access and boosting commercial ties. US President Donald Trump had earlier imposed 25% punitive tariffs on India over its continued purchases of Russian oil, with the US administration arguing that New Delhi’s energy imports were indirectly helping finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Last month, however, the two countries announced that they had reached a framework for an interim trade agreement. Following this development, Trump issued an executive order lifting the 25% tariffs, citing India’s commitment to halt energy imports from Russia and expand purchases of American energy products.