India

If the Indian establishment is willing to move forward with politically tricky but operationally meaningful agreements [such as the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement signed by India and the United States on Thursday], I take that as a good sign.

The question with this administration is, what will Trump see as an acceptable return for this waiver [granted to India for its trade with Russia and Iran]? Will he demand a transaction in return, some give on the trade side or a big defence deal for the US as well? Russia and Iran are sticking points, but the fact that the Trump administration is dealing with these privately is a sign of how much the relationship has changed. [Mr Trump] usually doesn’t give out freebies.

Given the uncertainty over where the president stands and what he cares about on any given day, [this week's trip by both Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis to India] is a sign of continuity. [It signals] that we’re still willing to invest at a high level in the U.S.-India relationship.