As India and the United States inch closer to a possible trade agreement before the July 9 deadline, the stakes for both nations ~ and indeed the global economic order ~ are unmistakably high. The negotiation process, unfolding amid rising protectionist sentiment in Washington and cautious economic diplomacy in Delhi, signals more than just tariff adjustments; it reflects a deeper reckoning between two major economies navigating their evolving roles in a fracturing global trade environment. India’s stance in these negotiations is clear and justified. New Delhi cannot afford to be seen as making undue concessions, particularly in politically sensitive areas like agriculture, which directly impact millions of its citizens. The government has already reduced tariffs on items like bourbon whiskey and motorcycles ~ concessions that signal goodwill but are carefully limited to avoid domestic backlash.

Such calculated moves reflect India’s maturing confidence........

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