Big like “puri,” not flat like “chapati,” according to a US official on commercial relations with India

US Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey R. Pyatt has described the changing nature of commerce between the US and India using a novel culinary metaphor. The commercial relations between the two nations, he said, had grown and were now “big and puffed up like a ‘puri'” rather than being “flat as a ‘chapati'”.

The substantial expansion and development of bilateral trade and investment links was highlighted in this remark, which was delivered during a debate regarding international trade agreements between the two nations.

“Today, no one describes their trading relationship as being as flat as a chapati. It has become large and puffy, like a ‘puri’. During a virtual briefing, Pyatt said, “I believe we are not presently engaged in any form of Free economic Agreement (FTA) discussion with India, but we have continuing and significant talks about how to promote a further development of our economic relationship.

The remarks made by the US official demonstrate the dynamic character of the US-India trade relationship, which has seen a significant rise in US products exports to India, which are expected to reach $47.2 billion in 2022. This is an increase of 113% from 2012 and 17.9% from the prior year.

In response to a query on the Red Sea issue and India-US ties in terms of energy security, Pyatt commended the Indian Navy for acting quickly to save a tanker ship from an assault by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. According to news agency ANI, he said that the Indian Navy’s move demonstrated India’s ability to offer net security that is advantageous to the US.

“The global system is experiencing unheard-of turbulence at this very time. What effects has the rerouting of containerized shipping had on inflation and what is the current state of global container shipping? After a Houthi missile attack, the Indian Navy stepped in to salvage a tanker ship that was on fire,” he claimed.

The Indian Navy was the one that saved the ship. It demonstrates India’s ability to offer net security to the larger region, which is advantageous to the United States,” he said.

During his tour to India from January 26 to January 31, Pyatt claimed he spoke with Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri about the disruption of the world energy markets after the Houthi assaults on commercial ships in the Red Sea, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“Our shared interest lies in the stability of the global energy markets, delivering the energy our citizens need and we are doing so in a way that has the lowest possible carbon footprint,” ANI reported that he had said.

With support from Iran, the Houthis have been attacking Red Sea boats since November of last year, claiming that they were connected to Israel during the Gaza conflict. The rebels, who have pledged to continue their attacks until Israel ceases hostilities, have justified their actions by stating that they are in favor of the Palestinians in Gaza.