The two sides had made considerable progress in addressing contentious issues in two bilateral events held in the last week of June. This caused growing unease in both the capitals about a potential trade war that would, in all likelihood, derail the ties for the remaining 18 months of President Trump’s tenure, if not longer. But unlike the US-China trade war, and the US-Mexico disputes, these trade differences were not at the centre of India-US relations. Clearly, the most important purpose of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s two-day India trip — the first high-profile US visit during Modi’s second term — was to address the trade differences. India’s advantage is that it has the right person to navigate imbroglios like the current one in its external affairs minister, Jaishankar.

Source: Hindustan Times July 28, 2019 12:33 UTC