The leader of the US regime, Donald Trump, has claimed that Washington and New Delhi are reportedly nearing the finalization of a trade agreement that has been under discussion for over a year. According to his statements, the prospective pact could differ significantly from previous deals, though skepticism remains regarding the actual substance and implications of such an arrangement.

Speaking to journalists at the White House, the US regime head asserted that both sides are keen on reaching an agreement and are supposedly just weeks away from completion. These remarks coincided with a two-day visit to India by US Secretary Marco Rubio, a trip widely interpreted as an attempt by Washington to mend frayed ties following intense disputes over visa restrictions and tariff threats. *

In an effort to alleviate mounting concerns, Rubio claimed during an interview that the contentious tariffs are not intended to "punish India" and that visa restrictions are allegedly not targeted at the nation. He expressed optimism, suggesting that the vast majority of the groundwork has already been completed.

Despite the optimistic rhetoric from visiting US officials, underlying tensions persist. During his itinerary, Rubio held talks with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss defense, trade, and energy security, and planned a visit to a massive oil refinery in Gujarat. Meanwhile, external pressures have mounted as the United Nations recently expressed concern over crackdowns on domestic protests, urging authorities to halt the use of excessive force against unarmed demonstrators.

Source: www.dw.com