New Delhi– External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Friday that India is prepared to approach trade talks with the United States with a sense of urgency, as the Trump administration’s evolving global posture presents new challenges for bilateral relations.
Delivering the keynote address at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit in New Delhi, Jaishankar acknowledged that India faces a difficult negotiating environment, describing the U.S. as “very ambitious” and noting that the global landscape has changed significantly over the past year.
“This time around, we are certainly geared up for a very high degree of urgency. We see a window,” Jaishankar said. “Our trade deals are really challenging. And when it comes to trade deals, we have a lot to do with each other. These are people very much on top of their game and very ambitious about what they want to achieve.”
The minister emphasized that while the U.S. has its own perspective on India, the reverse is also true.
“We had four years of talks during the first Trump administration. They have their view of us, and frankly, we have our view of them,” he said.
Jaishankar noted that the U.S. has fundamentally altered its approach to global engagement, particularly in the realm of technology.
“The consequences are profound, especially in tech. The U.S. is not only the world’s largest economy but also the main driver of technological advancement. It’s now clear that technology plays a major role in the ‘Make America Great Again’ strategy—something that may not have been fully appreciated between 2016 and 2020,” he added.
He also pointed to shifting global power dynamics, including China’s growing geopolitical influence.
“The change in the United States is one major shift over the past year. But another is the rise of China,” he said, noting that U.S.-China relations are increasingly shaped by both trade and technological rivalry.
Highlighting the evolving global scenario, Jaishankar observed that Europe, once in a favorable geopolitical position, is now facing considerable strain.
“Five years ago, Europe probably had the best geopolitical setup—it had managed a strategic triangulation between the United States, Russia, and China. Today, every side of that triangle is under pressure,” he said.
He also noted the efforts by countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to assert their influence through technological leadership.
In this shifting environment, Jaishankar said, India is making significant strides in its own digital transformation, especially in areas like Digital Public Infrastructure and semiconductors.
He encouraged attendees at the summit to explore India’s technology advancements with optimism. (Source: IANS)
