United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Thursday addressed the ongoing US-India trade negotiations, emphasising that any agreement with India will remain beneficial to United States citizens. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Landau made it clear that Washington values cooperation with India but will not repeat past errors made in its trade dealings with China.

“India should understand that we’re not going to make the same mistakes with India that we made with China 20 years ago. We’re going to make sure that whatever we do, it’s fair to our people,” Landau said, adding that accountability to citizens is a universal principle shared by all sovereign nations.

America First and Cooperation with India

Addressing perceptions of the America First doctrine, Landau clarified that it does not imply isolation.

“America First obviously does not mean America alone, because one of the ways that you can accomplish those objectives is through cooperation with other countries,” he noted.

Landau framed national interest as a key principle driving international relations, stating:

“Just as President Donald Trump wants to make America great again, he would expect the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, or other leaders to want to make their countries great again.”

India’s Rise and Strategic Importance

Landau highlighted India’s demographic and economic potential, calling it a defining power of the 21st century:

“I think one of the things that is undeniable is that this century is going to be, in many ways, a century in which we expect to see the rise of India…It has incredible economic, human, and other resources that make it one of the countries that’s going to decide the future of this century.”

He also stressed the “win-win” opportunities in expanding US-India ties, noting that the partnership aligns with the strategic and economic interests of both countries.

“I want to highlight the importance of India as we look around the world in the 21st century…We’re not here to do social work or charity. We’re here because it’s in the interest of our country, and we think it’s in the interest of India to deepen our partnership.”

Update on the Trade Deal

Landau provided an update on the negotiations, stating that both sides are nearing the final stages of the agreement:

“We are very excited about the trade deal that is almost at the finish line now.”

Earlier this year, the United States and India announced a framework for an interim trade agreement, while reaffirming their commitment to negotiating a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement initiated by Donald Trump and Narendra Modi.

The deal is expected to significantly expand economic cooperation between the two democracies and strengthen their strategic partnership amid evolving global geopolitics.

Actor Mandana Karimi, born in Iran, has addressed widespread speculation following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel missile strike. Taking to her Instagram, Mandana clarified that although she is leaving India, she will not return to Iran because she was banned from the country a decade ago.

“I have been banned from Iran 10 years ago. I cannot go back to Iran. Yes, I am leaving India; I am moving out of India, but I am not going back to Iran…Everyone can mourn for Khamenei, which I couldn’t do, and I still cannot do it,” Mandana said in a video reel.

She emphasized that her statements had been misrepresented in the media, often cut short or taken out of context, resulting in dramatic headlines.

Mandana’s Message on Safety and Activism

Mandana revealed the personal risks she has faced due to the ongoing conflict:

“Because of security reasons, I have been stuck at one place, and none of my even closest friends have my location…still I am trying to talk to the media to amplify the voices of Iranians, the ones who are still getting killed.”

She also addressed her absence from the film industry over the past six years, noting that her opinion stems from her Iranian heritage and firsthand knowledge of the situation in her home country:

“I have an opinion because I am Iranian. I know what is happening in my country, I was born and raised there and I left at the age of 18.”

In her Instagram caption, Mandana reiterated the importance of truth over sensational headlines:

“What matters is the truth about the Islamic Republic and why this regime must end. What matters is the voice of Iranians who are risking everything for freedom.”

Context: US-Iran Conflict

The recent assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by a joint US-Israel strike has intensified conflicts in the Middle East. Following the attack, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes across multiple Arab countries.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported the death of several senior officials along with Khamenei. Bandar Abbas, a southern port city, experienced massive explosions near Bandar-e Bahonar, close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Fresh strikes in eastern Tehran overnight caused shockwaves across parts of the city, though specific targets remain unconfirmed. The escalating tensions underscore the precarious security situation in the region and the challenges faced by citizens like Mandana.

A recent 30-day waiver issued by the United States allowing India to continue purchasing Russian oil has sparked criticism from geopolitical and energy markets expert Dr Anas El-Hajji. Speaking on Hindustan Times Podcast, Dr El-Hajji questioned why a sovereign nation like India should need “permission” from Donald Trump or his administration to buy energy resources.

“This waiver reflects a very sad situation on two fronts. First, why does India, a great country like India, need permission from President Trump or his government to buy Russian oil?” he asked, highlighting deeper structural issues in global energy governance.

Energy Security and Geopolitical Concerns

Dr El-Hajji pointed out that the waiver also exposes broader uncertainties in global energy security and shipping routes, particularly the Hormuz Strait, which he called “very destructive for the world economy.”

“The issue is not the permission itself but what this means for energy trade and shipping. Insurance restrictions and European regulations are central to the disruption,” he explained.

He argued that temporary suspension of certain European laws could stabilize shipments and reduce reliance on indirect workarounds.

Russian Oil in the “Dark Market”

Despite sanctions targeting companies like Rosneft and Luke Oil, Indian refiners such as Reliance Industries have continued to access Russian crude through alternative channels.

“India never stopped buying Russian crude…we’ve seen ships coming to Oman and returning to Russia, then the oil ends up at Indian ports,” Dr El-Hajji said, referring to an informal “dark market” of discounted crude purchases.

US Sanctions and Global Market Impact

Dr El-Hajji also criticised the US sanctions regime, suggesting that insurance and legal restrictions, rather than the waiver itself, are the root of the problem:

“All this can be solved easily if the EU suspends segments in the law for just one month. The tankers are stuck not because India wants Russian oil, but because insurance companies cancelled policies.”

He warned that continuing disruptions in the Gulf could harm India, global energy markets, and shipping lanes, making short-term fixes like the waiver insufficient.

Broader Implications

The expert questioned longstanding US policies regarding energy and oil pricing:

“President Trump has historically been against low oil prices…so why allow India to buy Russian oil if the situation should be resolved?”

He stressed that the waiver underscores persistent geopolitical tensions and the fragility of energy security in the region, calling for immediate, coordinated international action.