US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Thursday said the United States would not repeat with India the mistakes it made in its trade relationship with China.
Speaking at a geopolitics and economy conference in New Delhi, Landau said Washington had drawn several lessons from its trade engagement with China over the past two decades. He added that the US would approach trade arrangements with India with greater clarity to safeguard American interests.
Landau also said the US would support efforts to improve markets and noted that India was moving ahead of the US on several trade-related issues. He stressed that “America First” does not mean “America alone”, and that cooperation with other countries can help the US achieve its goals.
Drawing a parallel between the two leaders’ priorities, Landau said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to make India a better country, just as President Donald Trump wants the US to become the leading nation. He added that the 21st century is tied to India’s rise and that, as the world’s most populous country, India will be among the key nations shaping the century’s future.
Landau said he had come to India keeping his country’s interests in mind, and expressed the view that strengthening the partnership would also benefit India.
