Page 4 - The Indian EYE 071026

The Indian Eye
COVER STORY 4
JULY 10, 2026

INDIA-US TIES

BEGINNING OF

NEW PHASES

As the United States marks 250 years of independence and India continues its own economic transfor-
mation, the bilateral relationship appears to be entering one of its most consequential phases

OUR BUREAU summit, Aghi disclosed that discus-
sions held with Greer after his return
Washington, DC / New Delhi
from New Delhi indicated that “ a lot
ew bilateral relationships have of progress was made.”
evolved as dramatically over Aghi also pointed to the broad-
Fthe past two decades as that er vision shared by Prime Minister
between India and the United States. Narendra Modi and President Don-
What was once defined largely by di- ald Trump, who have agreed to work
plomacy has today expanded into a towards expanding bilateral trade to
comprehensive partnership spanning USD 500 billion by 2030. According to
trade, defence, technology, innova- him, the target is already beginning to
tion, investment and people-to-peo- take shape as “trade between the two
ple connections. Recent discussions at countries is going up.”
the IX US-India Strategic Partnership The sense that negotiations are
Forum (USISPF) Leadership Sum- approaching the finish line was rein-
mit in Washington underscored that forced by US Ambassador to India
the relationship is no longer confined Sergio Gor. Speaking at the summit,
to government interactions but has Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump hold a bilateral meeting on the Gor stated that discussions had en-
become a broad-based collaboration sidelines of the recent G7 Summit 2026 in France (Reuters Video/ANI) tered their concluding stage after near-
involving policymakers, businesses, ly eighteen months of negotiations.
researchers, entrepreneurs and the The list ranges from presidents That emphasis on people was “Most of this deal is complete,”
Indian diaspora. and prime ministers to diplomats, en- echoed throughout the summit. For- he said, adding that only “the last one
The summit itself reflected this trepreneurs, academics, artists, scien- mer US Ambassador Kenneth Juster or two per cent” remained unresolved
transformation. Bringing together tists and business leaders, illustrating described people-to-people ties as between both sides. He characterised
Fortune 500 executives, senior policy- how the partnership has steadily grown the “secret sauce” that has anchored the proposed agreement as a “win-win
makers and diplomats, it focused on beyond official diplomacy. Rather bilateral relations across decades, sug- situation” for India as well as the Unit-
charting an ambitious roadmap for than celebrating institutions alone, gesting that while governments and ed States, while emphasising that both
the next stage of bilateral cooperation. the publication recognises individuals policies may evolve, the deeper soci- governments remain actively engaged
The central objective was clear: deep- who strengthened diplomatic, cultur- etal connections continue to provide in bringing the negotiations to a suc-
en collaboration across sectors while al and economic bonds between the stability and momentum. cessful conclusion.
working towards an ambitious target two democracies across generations. Trade Deal in Sight Yet speakers repeatedly argued
of raising bilateral trade to USD 500 USISPF President and CEO that the significance of the trade agree-
billion by 2030. Mukesh Aghi said the organisation’s f there was one message that ment extends well beyond tariff reduc-
A significant highlight of the mission has always been “to trans- emerged consistently from the tions or increased market access. John
event was the launch of the second late strategic intent into tangible out- IUSISPF summit, it was that the T. Chambers, Chairman of USISPF,
edition of USISPF’s commemorative comes.” He noted that the relation- long-awaited bilateral trade agree- urged both countries to avoid treating
coffee table book, We The People: 250 ship has advanced because of “people ment appears closer than ever. trade, defence and technology as sep-
Voices: A Tribute to the 250 Voices who believe in the potential of this Optimism over the negotiations arate conversations.
that Shaped the US-India Relations. relationship and invest their energy, was evident across government and “Our countries have a chance to
Released during celebrations mark- expertise, and ambition in its growth,” industry. Mukesh Aghi revealed that work together in ways we’ve never
ing America’s 250th year of indepen- adding that the book serves as “a trib- US Trade Representative Ambassa- done before,” Chambers said. “It can’t
dence, the publication honours 250 ute to those individuals” while cele- dor Jamieson Lee Greer’s recent vis- be trade over here, defence over here,
personalities from different walks of brating “what has been built and an it to India had produced “excellent semiconductors over here. It’s got to
life whose contributions have helped acknowledgement of all those who groundwork” for finalising an inter- be; how do we think out of the box?”
shape modern India-US relations. laid the foundations.” im trade framework. Addressing the Continued on next page... >>

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