US, India envoys in China review strategic ties, trade push

Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Rawat and his US counterpart David Perdue met in Beijing to review the state of US-India relations and discuss a broad range of shared strategic and economic priorities , underscoring the deepening engagement between the two countries.

Following the meeting, Perdue said in a post on X that the US-India partnership is delivering tangible outcomes through close cooperation in defence, energy, critical minerals, and Quad engagement . “Always great to see my friend Ambassador Rawat to discuss our shared interests,” he said, highlighting the importance of sustained diplomatic dialogue and coordination.

The interaction came days after India and the United States announced a framework for an interim agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade, reaffirming their commitment to the broader US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2025 . The proposed interim deal is expected to promote balanced trade, expand market access, and strengthen resilient supply chains, marking a significant milestone in the evolving economic partnership between the two nations.

This was their second meeting since December last year . In December, Rawat and Perdue had also met along with Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi at the US Embassy in Beijing , in what was described as a rare publicised gathering of Quad envoys in the Chinese capital. That meeting underlined the Quad’s commitment to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and enhancing coordination among India, the US, Japan, and Australia.

Although no official statement has been issued by the Chinese foreign ministry on the latest meeting, diplomatic observers view the engagement as part of broader efforts to deepen strategic alignment, boost economic cooperation, and strengthen regional stability, particularly amid shifting geopolitical and trade dynamics.