Richard M. Rossow, senior adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said the US-India relationship is on firmer ground now compared with much of last year. Speaking to ANI in New Delhi, Rossow said stakeholders want to see concrete progress on a trade agreement, relaxation of visa restrictions and deeper security cooperation.
“It is good to see that the relationship is on somewhat steadier footing right now compared to most of last year,” Rossow said. He noted that last year’s moves, including new visa fees and tariffs, created negative momentum, and emphasised the need for tangible outcomes: finishing a trade deal, easing visa rules and strengthening security ties. He also asked whether the Quad would be restored to leaders’ level engagement.
Rossow added that, from Delhi’s perspective, the government directly controls only a few trade areas — notably hydrocarbons and defence — and suggested the Modi administration could target those sectors to make trade relations more balanced and improve outcomes.
In a separate development, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi that the United States will not allow Iran to hold the global energy market hostage. According to a US State Department statement by spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Rubio also said US energy products could help diversify India’s energy mix. The two leaders reviewed recent bilateral achievements, including investments supporting the Mission 500 goal to double trade by 2030. (ANI)
