Popular political commentator from Pakistan Najam Sethi praised India’s negotiation skills, while he was speaking on a Pakistani news channel. Giving an example of the recent trade deal between India and US, Sethi said that New Delhi never takes ‘dictation’ from anyone and is a good negotiator. Sethi, who is a close friend of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, gave an example of how India’s negotiation style is different from Pakistan.

He even said that India takes a pragmatic style of negotiation approach through which self-interest is protected, while Pakistan takes an emotional and ‘honour-bound’ approach. Sethi said, “India doesn’t take dictation from anyone. India negotiates. And it silently gives concessions that are in its interests … it’s not honour-bound. Our Pakistan politics is honour-bound … India doesn’t negotiate like that,”.

What Pakistan thinks of India-US trade deal?

During the interview, Sethi noted that India played its best cards while negotiating with US President Donald Trump, “So, I think India has played its cards well. And I think Donald Trump has also played his cards well.”

Regarding trade concessions, Sethi agreed that India has made a few trade concessions, but that won’t affect India’s domestic economy. “India has given some concessions, which are being criticised … But look, they were saying that India did not protect the farmers. What did they not protect? They protected the farmers and gave permission to the American exporters,” Sethi noted.

Praising India for trade negotiation, Sethi said that India won’t bow to any sort of pressure when it is a matter related to domestic stability. Talking about the Sharif government’s closeness or rather excessive flattery of the US President, he said Trump can’t be trusted and this attitude of the Sharif government can be harmful.

“I’ve been saying from Day 1 that you can’t trust Donald Trump. And he may make certain demands that will be difficult for Pakistan to fulfil. And if such a situation arises, then Donald Trump will exert counter-pressure on you … such a situation may develop in the future,” he said.

Regarding Pakistan and US tie

During this interview, Sethi talked about Pakistan and United Nations ties, he said, “We have good ties with the Trump admin right now but they can get strained owing to the evolving situation in the Middle East and India-US ties getting back on track.”

US-India trade deal

On the other hand, India and the US made a historic interim trade deal pact on February 8. After this deal the additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, that was imposed due to Russian oil purchases, has been lowered to 18%.

Meanwhile India agreed to lower the duties on many American industrial, agricultural and other products, so that the market access expands. Besides, India has agreed upon purchasing $500 billion in US energy, aircraft parts, precious metals, technology and cooking coal for at least 5 years.

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