Former US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal on Wednesday downplayed President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 25% tariff and penalty on India, calling it a “negotiating tactic” aimed at sealing a trade deal, not a fundamental shift in the US-India strategic relationship.

Speaking to ANI, Biswal said, “President Trump is not signalling a lack of confidence or a lack of interest in this strategic partnership. He’s simply deploying a negotiating tactic that he has used in the past with very close partners and allies.”

Her remarks come hours after Trump announced steep tariff threats, expressing frustration over a stalled “phase one” trade agreement with India. According to Biswal, both sides were close to finalising the deal before things fell apart at the last mile.

“I had been hearing from both sides, until a few days ago, that things were very, very close, that they had largely come to agreement on a phase one deal,” she said. “What we are seeing today indicates that President Trump very much wants to be at the negotiating table. I believe the deal fell short of the expectations set by President Trump. He has now put out these additional incentives and pressure to get across the last mile.”

Biswal, who served in the Obama administration and continues to be a prominent voice on US-India affairs, emphasized that while the two countries have longstanding “differences” and “divergences,” the overall direction of the partnership remains stable.

“These differences… are longstanding. Historically, the United States has demonstrated a fair amount of understanding regarding India’s legacy relationships,” she said, referring to India’s ties with countries like Russia. “I think President Trump is probably less inclined to accommodate and adapt to those legacy relationships.”

Nonetheless, she was hopeful that both sides would return to the table and find common ground. “I believe the two sides can still come to the table, negotiate, and understand what the President needs to see, as well as where India is willing to make concessions, ultimately reaching a historic deal,” she said.

Biswal also urged sustained dialogue, reminding both nations of the larger geopolitical context.

“It is in India’s interest to have a trading relationship with its largest trading partner, the United States. It is in the United States’ interest to have a trade agreement with India. Both India and the United States have a long way to go to outcompete their strategic competition and adversaries. So, there’s a lot at stake here for both countries,” she said.

– Ends

With inputs from ANI

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