WASHINGTON, United States (US): The US will not provide India with the same economic advantages that it gave China in the past, which Washington believes set the stage for current competition between the two major economies, US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, said on Thursday.
“India should understand that we’re not going to make the same mistakes with India that we made with China 20 years ago in terms of saying ‘Oh, you know we’re going to let you … be able to develop all these markets and then you know, the next thing … you’re beating us in a lot of commercial things.’ We’re going to make sure that whatever we do, it’s fair to our people,” Landau said at the Raisina Dialogue, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
At the same time, the US-India commercial economic front is “incredibly bright”, he added.
“We have two leaders in our two countries who have forged a great relationship. I think they really think the same way about putting their countries’ interests first.
“And it just seems very logical that we are going to be deepening our cooperation, and it’s very important that our two countries can build on this personal bond.”
The official also noted that the main areas of cooperation between the two countries are security, defence, energy, and anti-terrorism efforts.
New Delhi hosts the Raisina Dialogue 2026 from March 5-7.
The event, held annually since 2016, convenes global leaders, policymakers, academics, industry experts, and journalists to discuss most pressing international issues.
Landau also said that India should view the United States as a strong alternate source of energy to fulfil its needs.
“I hope you are thinking of alternate sources [of energy] and I can’t think of a better alternate source than the United States of America,” Landau said at the forum.
“We are an energy rich country … we want to cooperate with you.”
Landau noted that despite short and long-term issues related to the topic, Washington is ready to work with New Delhi to ensure that the country’s energy needs are met.
Aside from his participation in the Raisina Dialogue, Landau will further meet with senior Indian officials to discuss cooperation, including in the areas of defence, critical minerals, and counternarcotics.
The meetings will among others seek to achieve deeper commercial and economic ties. – BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
