Vance’s speech, delivered at the Rajasthan International Centre, was heavy on praise for Prime Minister Modi but also carried a clear message: buy more US defence equipment, including the F-35 stealth fighters, and open up Indian markets to American companies.
However, experts cautioned against one-sided deals. Former Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar said, “There’s talk about reciprocal trade, but in reality, the US is looking to push unilateral advantages.” She stressed that India should not accept equipment or trade deals that don’t match its needs or compromise its policy of indigenisation.Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Manmohan Bahadur was equally blunt on the F-35 pitch. “The F-35 is a carrot that has been dangled in front of India for quite some time now,” he said. “What exactly are they going to offer? Will we get the latest avionics? I doubt it.”
He pointed out that India’s Air Force is still heavily reliant on Russian systems, making the integration of US fighters complex and costly. “We need to manage our interests just the way the Americans are managing theirs,” he said.
Trade policy experts also flagged concerns. Prabhash Ranjan, Vice Dean at Jindal Global Law School, warned that if India reduces tariffs exclusively for the US as part of a bilateral deal, it could violate World Trade Organisation rules. “If tariff reductions apply to everyone, then why have a bilateral agreement at all?” he said, adding that India must press the US to stay within the WTO framework.
Vickery echoed that sentiment. “Abandoning the multilateral system in favour of a purely transactional one serves neither country,” he said. “The rule of law should apply in trade, human rights, science, and democracy, and sadly, this US administration is headed in the opposite direction.”
He also raised concerns about personal business interests influencing policy, pointing to Trump-linked real estate projects and allies like Elon Musk pushing for greater access to India. “What if they don’t get what they want? India must pursue its self-interest, and that means institutionalising the relationship,” Vickery said.
Amid speculation of a mini trade deal in the coming months, the message from the experts is clear: India should not be swayed by high-level visits or warm words. It must ensure that agreements are balanced, legal, and in line with its long-term strategic and economic goals.
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