INDIA PERSPECTIVE

New Delhi is in an exceptionally favourable position: while Europe resists Trump's tariffs and accumulates diplomatic tensions, India is close to signing a trade deal with Washington described as 'very close' by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. NDTV framed this as a signal that India is succeeding where Europe cannot — building a predictable trade relationship with the Trump administration.

India has pursued a strategy of non-confrontation with Trump since his return to power: no rhetorical outbidding on tariffs, regular bilateral visits between Modi and Trump, and positioning as a market alternative to China for American investors. That strategy is paying off: New Delhi is on the verge of being exempted from the tariff pressure weighing on Europe.

The anticipated deal would include reductions on certain Indian goods (notably pharmaceuticals and textiles) in exchange for expanded access to the Indian market for American companies. For New Delhi, it is also a way to reduce dependence on traditional partners (EU, China) by diversifying its economic anchors.