Indians fear that for all his bluster about making trade “fair”, Mr Trump’s administration is intent on winning unequal gains. Using a tight deadline, “Mr Trump wants to bully India into a deal,” says Ajay Srivastava, an Indian former trade negotiator and founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, another think-tank.

The statement comes days before the 90-day suspension of tariffs announced by the United States president is set to end on July 9.

As is now becoming evident, India has to get to know decisions of great importance to it from the White House in Washington DC,” he added.