U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the need for countries like India and Brazil to align more closely with U.S. interests amid rising tariff tensions, including a significant 50% tariff on India. Despite these challenges, India maintains that its energy procurement strategies, including purchasing discounted Russian oil, are driven by national interests. As trade relations remain strong, with the U.S. being India’s largest trading partner, both nations aim to finalize a Bilateral Trade Agreement to enhance trade to $500 billion by 2030. This situation underscores the complexities of global trade dynamics and the balancing act India must perform between national interests and international relations, particularly with the U.S.