India Aggressively Seeks New Trade Deals Amid US Tariff Tensions

• India is actively pursuing new trade agreements to diversify markets and mitigate the impact of steep US tariffs.
• Relations with Washington strained after President Trump raised tariffs to 50% in August, threatening India's manufacturing and export ambitions.
• India signed or operationalized four trade agreements last year, including a major pact with Britain, and is negotiating with the EU, Eurasian Economic Union, Mexico, Chile, and Mercosur.
• The diversification strategy is a reaction to US tariffs, particularly those aimed at curbing India's purchases of Russian oil.
• While new markets are crucial, exporters emphasize that alternative markets cannot fully replace the US, making a US deal 'paramount'.

Why It Matters: India is rapidly diversifying its trade partners to counter US tariffs and boost its export economy.