‘india Has That Drive’: Us Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Lauds India’s Economic Momentum, Potential

India’s economical trajectory continues to gain beardown praise from world leaders. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick lauded nan country’s maturation communicative and highlighted nan unsocial entrepreneurial tone driving it forward.

“India has an bonzer economy. What makes an system awesome is nan determination of nan people. From what I cognize astir India, they person that drive. That’s why their system will ever grow,” Lutnick said successful a caller statement, underscoring nan semipermanent optimism world markets and policymakers are placing connected India’s rising economical influence.

Lutnick, who besides serves arsenic nan CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, stressed that India’s operation of ambition, innovation, and execution capacity sets it apart. “You tin do things successful India you can’t do elsewhere,” he noted, referencing nan immense integer transformation, startup ecosystem, and public-private practice powering India’s economical description .

However, Lutnick said immoderate of India’s caller geopolitical decisions—such arsenic its continued subject ties pinch Russia and alignment pinch BRICS—have not gone down good pinch nan United States. Speaking astatine nan eighth version of nan US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Lutnick said these moves “rubbed nan US nan incorrect way,” moreover arsenic he struck an optimistic reside astir nan early of bilateral ties.

“The Indian system is extraordinary, your quality superior capacity is amazing, your maturation complaint is amazing. But, you know, location were definite things that nan Indian authorities did that mostly rubbed nan United States nan incorrect way,” Lutnick remarked, acknowledging some admiration and frustration.

He specifically pointed to India’s longstanding defence purchases from Russia. “That's a measurement to benignant of get nether nan tegument of America,” Lutnick said, but added that India now seems to beryllium shifting towards US-origin subject equipment—a move he believes could importantly amended bilateral relations.

Lutnick besides flagged India’s domiciled successful nan BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), which has floated ideas to trim reliance connected nan US dollar. “That’s not really nan measurement to make friends and power group successful America,” he said, suggesting specified positions could strain ties.

Nevertheless, Lutnick underscored that some sides are actively moving done these issues. “Put it connected nan table, reside it consecutive on, resoluteness it consecutive on, and get to a really bully place. And I deliberation that's wherever we are,” he said, noting that erstwhile US President Donald Trump holds India successful precocious respect and believes nan 2 countries are poised for a beardown partnership.

Lutnick hinted astatine nan anticipation of a US-India waste and acquisition statement successful nan adjacent future, stating that some sides person yet “put nan correct people” astatine nan negotiating table. “You should expect a woody betwixt nan US and India successful nan not-too-distant future,” he said, describing nan ambiance arsenic “very optimistic.”

He besides called retired India’s precocious tariff building arsenic an obstacle. “India is very protectionist pinch tariffs. They person 100% tariff connected this, and 100% tariff connected that. And if you inquire them why, nan reply is, ‘I don't cognize why. It conscionable is’,” Lutnick remarked. He suggested that rationalising these tariffs could pave nan measurement for a balanced and stress-free waste and acquisition relationship.

Published on: Jun 3, 2025 9:43 PM IST