Arvind Subramanian reporting:  With the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) reported to be considering a downgrade of India, trade ties between the two countries are even rockier than usual. Worse, the decision could be announced soon after a newly elected Indian government takes office in May, potentially starting a new relationship on a very sour note.

Big Pharma in the US seems to be pressing for this downgrade.  It’s odd, because it is highly unlikely that the pharmaceutical industry in India is capable of violating Big Pharma’s patents.

This is the wrong time to naming India as a Priority Foreign Country. Let a new government come into power, and then start a new dialogue on broader trade issues.