MAGA, Tech, Tariff Connected: Jaishankar On India Seeking New Trade Partners

NEW DELHI (ANI)- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at the Carnegie Global Tech Summit 2025, highlighted how the shift in US trade policy under former President Donald Trump has led India to seek complementary trade partners, particularly open-market economies in the West.

Jaishankar stated that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration — including a 26% tariff on India — prompted New Delhi to reassess its openness to the global economy. “There was a certain skew in our openness,” he noted, adding that the current geopolitical environment offers India a chance to correct that imbalance.

He emphasized the strategic importance of three ongoing trade negotiations with the US, the EU, and the UK, and expressed hope that if these are successfully concluded this year, India’s position in the global economy could be significantly strengthened.

Jaishankar confirmed that India and the US had conceptually agreed to pursue a bilateral trade agreement within a month of Trump’s return, with a targeted framework deadline set for September.

“There’s now a high degree of urgency,” he said, underscoring that India’s trade teams are “charged up” and pushing for accelerated talks. He pointed out a shift in narrative, stating, “It used to be said that we were slowing things down. Now, it’s the other way around.”

Commenting on US reliability amid policy changes, Jaishankar affirmed cautious optimism: “I think they can be trusted — even when the other T is concerned,” he said, alluding to trust and tariffs.

He further remarked on the intertwined nature of technology and trade, stating, “Tech is now central to America’s global strategy, and there’s a clear link between technology and the ‘Make America Great Again’ agenda.”

Addressing Europe’s evolving geopolitical situation, Jaishankar noted, “Five years ago, Europe had a balanced triangulation between the US, Russia, and China. Today, every side of that triangle is under stress.” He pointed out that India-EU relations have intensified, with 21 European Commissioners visiting India recently.

Jaishankar also touched upon China’s growing technological clout, calling it a gradual but consequential evolution that parallels changes in US policy. He cited the influence of tech advancements on global trade dynamics and warned that China’s developments are just as impactful.

The Carnegie Global Technology Summit is co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and serves as India’s flagship forum on geo-technology.