• Source:JND
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Sunday explained the peculiar state of affairs between India and the United States and India's approach to the negotiations in the wake of the tariff tensions.

Jaishankar stated that there are things that can be negotiated and there are things that can't, adding that there are India's red lines that must be respected.

"Today, a big part of our issues with the US is the fact that we have not arrived at a landing ground for our trade discussions. And the inability so far to reach there has led to a certain tariff being levied," he said.

Jaishankar underscored the need to reach a trade agreement with the US not only because it is the largest market, but most of the world has reached that understanding.

However, he added that in any understanding, India's red lines must be respected. "Whatever happens at the end of the day, there has got to be a trade understanding with the US…because it is the world's largest market but also because much of the world has reached those understandings,” he said.

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"But it has to be an understanding where our bottom lines, our red lines are respected. In any agreement, there are things you can negotiate and there are things you can't. I think we are pretty clear about that. We have to find that landing ground and that's been the conversation which has been going on since March," he said.

Since the announcement of tariffs by US President Donald Trump, it has been said that the US is seeking access for its agriculture and dairy products in Indian markets, which India is hesitant to provide.

Without naming the US, PM Modi hinted it in his Independence Day speech. He had said that he is "standing like a wall” against any adverse policy that could impact Indian farmers, fisherfolk and cattle keepers.

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Meanwhile, Jaishankar also emphasized that despite tensions over tariffs large part of the relationship with the US is continuing as usual.

"There are issues; nobody is in denial. I also want to say a large part of the relationship is actually continuing, either as business as usual or in fact, in some cases, more than that."