India has signed a flurry of trade deals since Donald Trump’s return to the White House in an attempt to ensure that no single bilateral rupture will cause catastrophic harm. It should continue to expand its trade ties, while being wary of any bilateral agreement that curtails its freedom of action vis-à-vis third countries.
NEW DELHI—Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Council meeting in Kyrgyzstan was about more than regional security; he also used the forum to push for deeper trade links between member states. This is only the latest example of India’s proactive pursuit of trade diplomacy. Last year’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom was followed this January by the “mother of all deals,” a wide-ranging agreement with the European Union. And high-level trade talks continue with the United States, building on a joint statement of intent issued in February.