So this report just landed up on my TL.

Basically, the US Deputy Secretary of State lays out the US gameplan in the ongoing trade deal negotiations with India.
I think he has done a great service to his hosts in New Delhi by saying this out loud!
Let me explain why ..

What he has given away is the guiding principle of the US negotiation strategy. IMO, this is an absolutely idiotic thing to do because it now officially and publicly warns India of how the US redlines might look like.
It was a part that should NOT have been said out loud!

Technically, US is perfectly right in trying to preserve their interests. However, with own negotiators now having gotten an insight into what might have been discussed in closed door discussions in the US, our negotiators do get an upper hand. Secondly, with this having been said out loud and the RR that has already commenced against yet another ‘loss’ for the GOI, it actually further strengthens their hand by citing these very idiots and their RR in refusing US proposals that may not be to our liking.

Remember, this was the same strategy as used by the GOI when discussing the India-US Nuclear Deal and the ‘123 Agreement’ during the reign of Mr Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister, when the Leftist Parties were openly and loudly protesting against it. Even at that time, citing political opposition, we were able to hold our ground and get a much better deal. How it panned out ultimately, is a different story altogether.

In this case too, those indulging in the R@ndi-Rona and gloating about yet another ‘loss’ for GOI at hands of the USA are actually doing a wonderful service to the Motherland, even if unintentionally!

But coming to these idiots, what is making them cry is a mere statement by the visiting American. Similar statements by the GOI about looking after Indian interests are just as conveniently ignored by them. But then, at the end of the day, these are merely statements. As the saying goes, ‘Proof of the Pudding is in the eating’, and THAT will have to wait till the time the deal is actually signed.

Yes, it will be sold as a victory by both sides, just as it should be because an ideal deal is ideally a win-win for both sides.
But then, we are still far from that stage.
Till then, let us treat this statement by Landau Ji for what it is .. an ignorant slip of the tongue.

Bottomline: If mere trade deals could prevent the rise or the downfall of a great nation, then there would be no wars whatsoever .. only trade deals!
In the end I will leave this tweet that explains my chain of thoughts.

To conclude, I would like to offer a sincere ‘Thank You’ to my dear ‘outraged’ ones for their service to the Nation!