External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau during the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi. Landau, visiting India officially from March 3-6, is representing the US at the event and promoting President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ policy agenda. The US State Department announced that Landau would engage with senior Indian officials to enhance bilateral cooperation on defense, critical minerals, and counternarcotics, while also focusing on boosting commercial ties for American businesses and fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, kicked off in New Delhi, bringing together a diverse group of global leaders, policymakers, and strategic experts. Organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the three-day event serves as a platform for heads of state, ministers, academics, industry leaders, think tanks, and media representatives to address critical global challenges.
India and the US recently outlined a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade, signaling progress towards a broader bilateral trade deal. This initiative, following discussions between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi in February 2025, aims to reduce tariffs on Indian imports and strengthen supply chains. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to negotiating a comprehensive US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement through this interim pact, emphasizing mutual interests and tangible outcomes.
In a joint statement, officials hailed the Interim Agreement as a significant milestone in the partnership between the United States and India, highlighting a shared dedication to balanced and reciprocal trade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed support for President Trump’s endeavors for global peace and prosperity during a recent telephonic conversation, underscoring India’s commitment to elevating bilateral relations to unprecedented levels.
