Overview
- Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor’s energetic outreach in New Delhi contrasts with a “wrapped” trade package still awaiting presidential approval, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicating Trump expects a supplicatory call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Trade talks collapsed over the past year as Washington imposed higher duties on Indian goods, with India’s tariff burden reported to have doubled to 50 percent.
- The White House pressed New Delhi to reduce purchases of Russian oil as leverage on Vladimir Putin for a Ukraine deal, despite India having increased US oil imports and recently trimming Russian buys.
- US engagement with Pakistan rebounded quickly, including multiple White House meetings with army chief Asim Munir after Operation Sindoor, which New Delhi views as a fresh strain on the relationship.
- Defence, counter-terrorism, and technology cooperation remain largely intact, while Indian analysts urge a strategic reset to build capacity and diversify partnerships as anti-India rhetoric in US politics fuels public distrust.