India has signaled that it is engaging in trade negotiations with the United States from a position of strength, as both countries race to conclude a bilateral trade agreement ahead of a self-imposed July 9 deadline. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized on July 5 that national interest would be paramount in these discussions and that New Delhi would not be pressured into accepting terms that compromise critical domestic sectors such as agriculture and dairy.

Speaking at a summit hosted in New Delhi, Goyal asserted, “Today, India negotiates from a position of strength. We are self-confident and can compete with anybody in the world.” His comments reflect a growing confidence in India’s economic capabilities and a broader strategic shift in its trade posture-away from reactive diplomacy and toward assertive economic engagement on its own terms.

The negotiations come amid a broader reshaping of global trade under US President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January for a second term and immediately launched a sweeping campaign of tariffs aimed at protecting US industries. On April 2, Trump declared what he termed ‘Liberation Day,’ a significant policy moment in which he imposed a universal 10% tariff on all imports, with select countries facing duties of up to 70% for what he characterized as “unfair trade practices.”

While India was not among the countries facing the steepest tariffs, Trump has insisted that all US trade partners must deliver fairer terms or risk economic retaliation. Washington has already........

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