Experts and former ambassadors anticipate strengthened India-US cooperation and trade growth with Donald Trump as the newly elected President.
With many major companies opening or planning to open Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, experts are optimistic that more R&D centres and customer care offices could also move here. They noted that stock markets would likely have reacted negatively if Trump’s return threatened India’s interests.
Former Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar predicts that India and the US will deepen their cooperation under Trump 2.0, significantly boosting Trade and Technology.
Sajjanhar highlighted initiatives like the Initiative for Critical and Emergent Technologies, advancements in AI, Quantum Computing, Robotics, technology transfer for GE F414 aircraft engines, and Semiconductor manufacturing, which began during President Biden’s term. He hopes that President-elect Trump will also support these beneficial projects.
According to experts, Trump’s proposed pushback against China could benefit India with increased investment, production, and employment through the China+1 investment strategy.
However, former Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar noted challenges: Trump previously called India the “Tariff King” and imposed penalties on Indian exports, including 10% tariffs on steel and aluminium, and removed India’s GSP benefits worth $6 billion. He stressed the need for India to negotiate strongly on issues like H1B visas to protect its interests.
India’s Migration and Mobility Agreement with the US covers legal migration and professional mobility, which Sajjanhar believes should be fully implemented to support Indian professionals in the US.
Former WTO Ambassador Jayant Dasgupta highlighted that, despite potential H1B restrictions, remote work could keep skilled jobs and income within India, benefiting domestic consumption.
Dasgupta also noted that Trump’s potential tariffs on Chinese imports could create export opportunities for India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Bangladesh.
Experts added that Trump’s trade concerns target non-transparent economies, not open markets like India, which has always welcomed competition from US firms.
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