After the interim trade agreement between India and America, questions have once again arisen regarding America’s stance. Immediately after the announcement of the agreement America The map of ‘Akhand Bharat’ shared by US has now been removed (US India Trade Agreement). In this map, PoK and Aksai Chin were shown as an integral part of India, which was considered different from the traditional policy of America.
This post was shared by the United States Trade Representative Office (USTR) on social media platform X on February 7. As soon as the post came out, the discussion intensified at the international level, because America generally considers these areas as disputed. Now USTR has quietly removed this post from its official account.
Was it a mistake or a strategy?
Two types of opinions had emerged in diplomatic circles regarding this development. Some experts believed that this could be a deliberate diplomatic gesture towards India amid America’s current strained relations with Pakistan and China. At the same time, the other opinion was that it was only a technical or human error.
In fact, America has been calling Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin as disputed areas for a long time. In such a situation, suddenly showing these areas as part of India does not match with its declared policy (US India Trade Agreement). Now after the post was removed, it is believed that America took a step back before the dispute escalated.
India’s clear stand
It has been repeatedly reiterated by India that Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. The Indian government has been vehemently rejecting any claims made by Pakistan and China. In such a situation, the removal of the American post is giving rise to a new diplomatic debate.
Language changed in trade deal also
This is not the first time that America has changed its stance in recent times. After agreeing to the India-US domestic trade agreement, the White House had released a fact sheet regarding the terms of the agreement. It was said that India will buy products worth more than $500 billion from America.
However, just a day later the White House amended it (US India Trade Agreement). The new language said that India ‘intends to purchase’ American products, that is, it was changed from a binding condition to a probable statement. This is being seen as a leniency in favor of India.
Why is this development important?
Removal of the map of united India and change in the language of the trade deal – both incidents show that even though the strategic partnership in India-US relations is getting stronger, America is still trying to strike a balance on sensitive issues.
At present, after the removal of the map, it is clear that America has returned to its traditional diplomatic stance, but this entire incident will definitely give rise to new discussions in the future regarding the direction of India-US relations.
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