The second Donald Trump administration will likely mark a decisive turn for most countries. There are peculiar strands that distinguish India from others in how New Delhi’s relationship with the US has changed. Existing frameworks may be proving insufficient, indeed redundant in some cases, to guardrail the direction and objectives of the relationship.

Beyond the upheavals over tariff, immigration and the import of Russian oil, the past few weeks alone have witnessed several instances that will be consequential for the bilateral relationship. India has become a target of a new line of tariff of 12.5 per cent which the US Trade Representative has proposed. This acts as a pressure tool amid ongoing trade negotiations.

The US government has also issued an export-control directive to suspend all access........

© Indian Express