PM Modi-Trump-Jinping Image: AP/ANI/Freepik
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Paul Kapoor has described India as an important ally in America’s steps against China and has emphasized that a strong India not only keeps China out of the Indo-Pacific region, but also prevents it or any other big country from occupying this region or taking advantage of it by force.
He said this on Wednesday in the hearing of the Sub-Committee on South and Central Asia, which was to examine America’s foreign policy in South-Central Asia.
Why is India important for America?
When asked how India would support US efforts in the Indo-Pacific region to counter an increasingly aggressive China, Kapoor said a strong India not only keeps China out, but also prevents any major country from taking over the region.
He said, “An India that can be independent and stand up for itself and maintain its freedom to act, works to our strategic advantage and promotes our strategic interests because we are not really trying to keep China out of the region, but to prevent China or any one big country from occupying this region or taking advantage of it by force. So an India that can be independent, stand up for itself.” “and maintain its freedom to act, it takes a large part of the Indo-Pacific away from China and almost by definition prevents it from becoming a major power in the region.”
India-America relations soured?
However, Representative Kamlager-Dove, Ranking Member from California, strongly criticized the diplomatic moves under Trump 2.0. He said, “Trump has harmed US regional interests and decimated our diplomatic toolbox, putting us on the back foot amid major changes in South and Central Asia.
In April, Trump announced tariffs on its allies in South and Central Asia, a sudden economic blow to countries already in debt to the PRC. The 50% tariff on India, one of the highest rates in the world, destroyed decades of hard-built trust between the two countries. “Due to the delay in talks for more than a year, we were forced to miss the annual Quad Leaders Summit on time and weakened our position in the Indo-Pacific.”
Kapoor said India and the US have maintained a consistent, strong cooperation, which has helped in resolving issues such as trade relations. He said, “India, with its size, location, and commitment to a free and open region, is the center of South Asia and, to a larger extent, the western part of the Indo-Pacific. The US and India maintain high-level diplomatic touchpoints, such as the 2+2 ministerial, and also work together, bilaterally and through the Quad, in the defense technology and energy sectors. Cooperation in these areas remains strong, even as we have “The relationship has resolved long-standing issues, as evidenced by the new 10-year US-India Defense Framework Agreement, the TRUST Initiative, and Indian purchases of US products ranging from drones to liquefied natural gas.”
American tariffs will be removed from these things also
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia said, “Following the trade framework agreed upon last week between President Trump and PM Modi, we can now focus on other shared priorities: reducing barriers to trade with one of the world’s largest economies and opening the way for even greater cooperation. This will enhance our mutual prosperity and help India defend its sovereignty on land and in its surrounding waters.” Will get.”
The India-US interim agreement, announced last week, serves as a framework for a mutual and win-win trade pact between the two countries. The agreement will include eliminating or reducing tariffs on US industrial goods and a variety of food and agricultural products, including dried distillers grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and other products. In return, the US will impose a reciprocal tariff of 18 percent on select Indian goods, including textiles, clothing, leather, footwear, plastics, rubber, organic chemicals, home decor, artisan products, and certain machinery. When fully implemented, US tariffs on things like generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts will be eliminated.
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