Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on August 23 said that the India-US trade negotiations are still underway but “we have some red lines”, as the country stared at steep 50 per cent tariffs from August 27. Speaking at the ‘Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025’, Jaishankar shared that negotiations with the US are underway.
“What we are concerned about is that the red lines are primarily the interests of our farmers and, to some extent, of our small producers. We, as a government, are committed to defending the interests of our farmers and our small producers. We are very determined on that. That’s not something that we can compromise on,” Jaishankar told the gathering. He added that US President Donald Trump’s way of dealing with the world, even dealing with his own country, “is a very major departure from the traditional orthodox manner of doing so”.
Earlier, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said at the same event that the Government’s approach in trade negotiations for free trade agreements with other countries will be guided by national interest and the priorities of Indian industry. “I’ve always held a very clear vision. When we do trade deals, I have to protect national interests. We usually now work with different countries with the pre-understanding, before even getting into negotiations: you respect my sensitivities, I respect your sensitivities. There are areas of concern in every country in the world,” the Commerce Minister said at the event on Friday.
