India, Jan. 12 -- The new US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Monday that an amicable Indo-US trade deal is very much in the realm of the possible and even the larger Indo-US partnership continues to be robust. These pages have always underlined the importance of patiently pursuing economic and diplomatic dialogue with the US rather than getting distracted by the shrill rhetoric coming from Washington. Such a policy approach, however, will also have to keep in mind the fact that the days of the US being an open export market to even its closest allies are almost over and the quid pro quo element in such a relationship will be bigger than the past.

It is in this context that it is extremely important that India cultivates its econom...