Overview
- President Trump capped his Asia trip with a Busan meeting with Xi Jinping that observers say could yield a trade and technology ceasefire, though deep strategic tensions would remain.
- During the tour, Washington reaffirmed security ties including AUKUS, the US–Japan alliance and engagement with ASEAN, and outlined plans to cut reliance on Chinese critical minerals.
- Indian policymakers worry a US–China reset could sideline New Delhi, shifting concerns from being drawn too close to Washington to being left out of a renewed great-power accommodation.
- A more transactional US posture has strained ties with India through higher tariffs, threats of further duties and a reported $100,000 H-1B fee that would hit Indian tech workers hardest.
- Commentary urges India to respond with faster economic reform, defence industrialisation and a clearer technology strategy while leveraging diaspora and corporate links in the United States.