Washington, Jan 12 (NationPress) The bilateral relationship between India and the United States is currently in a challenging yet possibly temporary phase, marked by trade negotiations, tariff disputes, and geopolitical tensions, according to senior BJP leader Ram Madhav. He emphasized that New Delhi is steadfastly dedicated to the partnership.

During an interaction with the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) here, Madhav, who is the president of the India Foundation and a former national general secretary of the BJP, noted that expectations were high in India following President Donald Trump's return to office, yet the subsequent developments have been "unexpected."

"This was unforeseen. Our party had expressed enthusiasm when Trump 2.0 commenced," he remarked, highlighting the significant support Trump has in India.

Madhav explained that India's experience with Trump is not unique. "Many nations share similar experiences with Trump. The President has his own approach to dealing with countries and issues," he noted.

Regarding tariffs, Madhav pointed out that India has shown a willingness to negotiate, with discussions ongoing for several months. "Our commerce ministry and department of commerce have been engaged in talks for nearly eight to nine months," he stated, adding that they are "very close to a deal."

However, he warned that trade discussions become complicated when intertwined with geopolitical matters. "Trade issues become more complex when mixed with geopolitics," he noted, referring to attempts to link trade with India-Pakistan tensions.

Madhav clearly stated India's position on such linkages. "On the India-Pakistan issue, we maintain a clear policy that it should remain a bilateral matter, without any involvement from third countries," he asserted.

He conveyed this stance explicitly to Washington. "We have kindly advised that geopolitics should not interfere with trade negotiations," he added, noting that trade discussions are now being managed separately.

Madhav also seemed to critique the idea that policy decisions could be informally concluded. "India takes matters seriously. Trade agreements cannot merely be settled over a phone call," he emphasized, highlighting the need for thorough negotiations.

Despite the current challenges, Madhav stated there is no intent in India to harm the relationship. "This relationship is crucial for us, far more significant than individual leaders," he said.

He credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for establishing the groundwork for modern India-US ties. "He described India and the US as natural allies," Madhav recalled, emphasizing that the relationship has been cultivated over decades.

Madhav also underscored the significance of the Indian diaspora. "Indian Americans are a vital component of this relationship," he stated.

He suggested that the current phase should be regarded as temporary. "There are some hiccups that are more personality-driven than policy-driven," he concluded, reaffirming India's commitment to regaining momentum.