Surjit Bhalla Urges Comprehensive India-US Trade Agreement

Economist and author Surjit Bhalla called for an immediate comprehensive trade agreement between India and the United States to accelerate India's growth and meet its 'Viksit Bharat' goals for 2047. In an interview with ANI, Bhalla described the pact as the most critical economic reform needed to unlock technology access and new markets.

Bhalla argued that a deal would force Indian firms to improve competitiveness by removing protections associated with the domestic market. He characterized the 30-year failure to finalize such an agreement as a major policy shortcoming driven by the deep state and entrenched interests within India's policymaking system.

Asserting that trade deals with the European Union, Japan, or the United Kingdom lack the same strategic impact, Bhalla warned that China is the primary beneficiary of the ongoing delay between New Delhi and Washington.