The meeting comes at a time when India and the United States have faced friction over tariffs, visa policies and the killing of Indian sailors in a commercial shipping incident. However, experts believe the broader partnership and shared strategic interests continue to outweigh these differences.
Former diplomat KP Fabian said a trade agreement with the US is important for India, but stressed that New Delhi should protect key interests during negotiations. He said, “I will not say that any deal is better than no deal.”
Fabian also argued that India should remain firm on sensitive sectors such as dairy while showing flexibility in other areas. According to him, Indian negotiators are capable of securing outcomes that are important for the country.
Sanjeev P Yadav, former diplomat and founder of Banyan Tree Global, said recent visits by senior US officials and the appointment of a new ambassador indicate that Washington continues to view India as a key strategic partner. He noted that India occupies a central place in US policy towards Asia and that long-term cooperation should remain the focus.
Highlighting the importance of looking beyond short-term disputes, Yadav said, “India has been put at the centre of American Asian foreign policy.”
Former diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar said the India-US relationship enjoyed strong momentum during Trump’s first term and expressed hope that both sides would focus on areas of convergence. He added that the factors bringing the two countries together are far stronger than those pulling them apart.
The experts broadly agreed that while recent developments have created strains, the long-term trajectory of India-US ties remains positive, supported by common interests in technology, supply chains and regional security.
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