External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has underlined India’s firm stance in its trade negotiations with the United States, stressing that the government will not compromise on certain “red lines” that safeguard the interests of farmers and small producers.
Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum, Jaishankar also defended India’s continued oil imports from Russia, a key friction point in India-US ties. “It’s funny to have people from a pro-business American administration accusing others of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you. Europe buys, America buys — so if you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” he said. He added that Russian oil imports are both in India’s national interest and beneficial globally by stabilising energy prices.
India and the US have been engaged in several rounds of talks for an interim trade deal, but progress has stalled over disagreements on agriculture and market access. Jaishankar made it clear that while discussions are still ongoing, there are areas where India cannot yield. “The red lines are primarily the interests of our farmers and small producers. That is not something we can compromise on,” he noted.