New Delhi: During his keynote address at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on Friday that India is ready to engage urgently in trade discussions with the United States, especially given the challenging circumstances resulting from the Trump administration’s significant shift in how America engages globally.
Jaishankar emphasized that negotiating trade deals with the US would be difficult, as the United States has set ambitious goals and the global environment has drastically changed from a year ago. “This time around, we are certainly geared up for a very high degree of urgency… we see a window. Our trade deals are indeed complex. When it comes to trade, we have much to collaborate on, and these are individuals who are highly skilled and ambitious about their objectives,” he remarked.
He also pointed out that while the US has perspectives on India, India, in turn, has its views on the US. “We spent four years discussing matters during the first Trump administration. They have their viewpoint of us, and we also have our own perspective,” Jaishankar stated.
The minister noted that the US has fundamentally altered its approach to global engagement, resulting in implications across various domains, with technology being significantly affected. “The changes in the US are profound, as it is the largest economy and a key driver of global technological advancements. It’s evident that technology plays a crucial role in ‘Making America Great Again,’ a connection that was perhaps less apparent between 2016 and 2020,” he observed.
Jaishankar highlighted a broader global power shift, particularly due to China’s growing geopolitical influence over the past year. He pointed out that the dynamics of US-China trade are shaped by both trade factors and technology, with decisions driven by China having significant repercussions similar to those made by the US.
In discussing the evolving global geopolitical landscape, he noted that Europe, which previously found itself in a favorable triangulation with the US, Russia, and China, is now encountering significant stress on all sides. “Five years ago, Europe had arguably the most favorable geopolitical situation, but now, every aspect of that triangle is under strain,” he commented.
He also indicated that countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are striving to assert their geopolitical presence through advancements in technology. In this light, he mentioned that India is progressing in establishing its Digital Public Infrastructure and prioritizing semiconductors after decades of neglect.
Jaishankar encouraged experts at the Global Technology Summit to engage in discussions that recognize and highlight India’s technological advancements positively.