By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON -  US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has said Washington will not repeat what he described as past mistakes made in its economic relationship with China as it deepens trade and strategic ties with India.

Speaking about the future of US-India relations, Landau stressed that any expansion in economic cooperation must serve American interests.

"India should understand that we're not going to make the same mistakes with India that we made with China 20 years ago," Landau said.

"In terms of saying, 'Oh, you know, we're going to let you be able to develop all these markets,' and then the next thing we know, you're beating us in a lot of commercial things."

He added that Washington would ensure future agreements are fair to American workers and businesses.

"We're going to make sure that whatever we do, it's fair to our people, because ultimately we have to be accountable to our own people, just as the government of India has to be accountable to its people," he said.

Landau's remarks come as the United States and India continue expanding cooperation in areas including defense, technology, semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence and critical minerals, while also seeking to increase bilateral trade.

Despite growing strategic alignment, trade disputes remain between the two countries over market access, tariffs, digital regulations, agricultural products and intellectual property protections. Negotiators have been working toward a broader trade framework aimed at reducing barriers and increasing investment.

The comments reflect a broader shift in US economic policy that has emerged over the past decade. Successive US administrations have argued that earlier policies toward China—including support for Beijing's integration into the global trading system following its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001—helped accelerate China's rise as a manufacturing and technological powerhouse while contributing to the loss of US industrial jobs and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Since then, Washington has increasingly adopted policies focused on protecting strategic industries, tightening export controls on advanced technologies, encouraging domestic manufacturing and "de-risking" supply chains from excessive dependence on China.

India has become a central partner in that strategy. The United States views the world's most populous country as a key economic and strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific and has encouraged greater investment in India's manufacturing sector as global companies diversify supply chains.

However, US officials have also emphasized that stronger ties with India will not come at the expense of American economic interests. Landau's remarks underscore Washington's intention to pursue closer cooperation while seeking reciprocal market access, fair competition and safeguards for US industries.