All is not lost for India-US trade deal

US President Donald Trump has a predictable knack for doing a flip-flop or climbdown every now and then. On Friday, he lamented that India and Russia seemed to have been lost to “deepest, darkest” China after their leaders bonded with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin. He also sarcastically wished the troika a long and prosperous future together. Hours later, he changed tack and lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while affirming that “India and the US have a special relationship” and “there’s nothing to worry about”. Trump’s apparent outreach elicited a prompt response from the PM, who said he appreciated and reciprocated the President’s sentiments and positive assessment of bilateral ties.