As trade talks with Washington progress, India faces the risk of sudden unilateral declarations and shifting narratives that can undermine careful diplomacy. This is exactly why India must combine strategic patience with institutional discipline to protect its interests in an era where theatrical announcements can outweigh negotiated substance.It is tempting, almost reassuring, to hope that the United States might approach trade negotiations with India in a spirit of quiet deliberation and mutual respect. Yet to expect such calibrated conduct from President Trump risks lapsing into wishful thinking. For he has shown, repeatedly and openly, a preference for bypassing diplomatic convention, ignoring institutional channels, and substituting personal proclamation for careful process. This is not a passing quirk of temperament but a reflection of a new process under his leadership, shaped by politics that rewards disruption over dialogue and spectacle over substance.
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