External Affairs MinisterS. Jaishankar said on Friday that India is now showing urgency to finalise a trade deal with the United States — a shift from the past when India was seen as delaying such agreements.
Speaking at the Global Tech Summit hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India, Jaishankar said, “Earlier, people used to say India was slowing things down. But now, we are the ones showing urgency.” He added that India and the US are aiming to finalise the first part of a trade deal by September or October this year.
This statement comes two days after US President Donald Trump gave a 90-day breather on imposing tariffs on India. A US trade team, led by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, visited Delhi from March 26 to 29 to discuss trade details.
Jaishankar also warned of rising global instability due to increasing tensions between the US and China over tariffs, which could cause major economic problems. He said India must be prepared to protect its interests in this changing environment.
Talking about global trade, Jaishankar mentioned that deals with the European Union have taken long due to periods where both sides weren’t even negotiating. “It’s not that we’ve been talking for 30 years straight — there were long breaks,” he clarified.
On technology and global influence, Jaishankar highlighted how countries like Japan, South Korea, and China are trying to regain geopolitical power through technological innovation. He praised India’s progress in areas like Digital Public Infrastructure and semiconductors, saying that tech is a key part of India’s growth strategy.
“We’re presenting a new and positive image of India through technology at the summit,” he added.
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