India, Feb. 4 -- The China+1 strategy will play out, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted in an interview to HT recently as she spoke about a trade deal India and the US sealed on Monday, bringing down tariffs on Indian imports to 18%.

The trade pact not only reduces US tariffs on Indian imports but also brings months of tense trade negotiations between both countries to an end.

Sitharaman has expressed hope that the deal would come as a big relief to Indian exporters, now that they stand at an advantage compared to their rivals. "It is a very welcome move and will be a big relief to our exporters," Sitharaman said.

She also said that the recently-concluded talks on trade between India and the US would pave way for the China+1 ...