New Delhi [India], April 11: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday emphasized India’s readiness to pursue a trade deal with the United States with a high degree of urgency, citing the evolving global dynamics and the US’s ambitious, changed approach toward international engagement.
Speaking at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, Jaishankar said that while India’s trade negotiations are complex, the current global landscape demands swift action and proactive cooperation.
“This time around, we are certainly geared up for a very high degree of urgency… our trade deals are really challenging, and the people we deal with are very ambitious. We see a window of opportunity and want to make progress quickly,” he stated.
Jaishankar noted that while the US has a distinct view of India, the reverse is equally true.
“They have their view of us, and we have our view of them,” he remarked, referencing years of discussions during the first Trump administration. He also drew comparisons with the protracted India-EU trade negotiations, highlighting the importance of more dynamic engagements.
On broader geopolitical themes, Jaishankar addressed the shifting dynamics between the US and China, especially in terms of trade and technology, describing them as deeply intertwined.
“The trade story has also been a tech story,” he said, citing the example of DeepSeek, a moment that showcased this intersection vividly.
He emphasized that the geopolitical and technological rise of China has been as consequential as shifts in the American position, with both influencing each other’s strategies.
“One is, to some extent, influenced by the other,” he added.
The minister also noted that countries like Japan, South Korea, and China are using technological advancements to reassert themselves on the global stage. He referenced Taiwan’s strategic importance in this context.
On India’s position, Jaishankar said the country is actively shaping its role in the global tech ecosystem through initiatives like Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and a renewed focus on semiconductors.
“Some of it is better known, DPI for example. Some of it is in the making – like our prioritization of semiconductors after decades,” he said, emphasizing India’s long-term strategic vision.
He also praised the Global Tech Summit’s optimistic outlook, saying it aligns with the mood of the country and reflects the government’s approach.
“I’m really pleased the organizers chose to take an optimistic view of this churn underway. It mirrors the country’s outlook and that of the government,” he concluded.