New Delhi, April 6 -- India will refrain from taking retaliatory action against the US' reciprocal tariffs or making sharp public responses against Washington, keeping trade diplomacy at the centre of its strategy, a senior government official said.

As a global tariff war unfolds in response to US President Donald Trump's additional tariffs on more than 60 nations, India is taking a calm and measured approach, positioning itself as a balanced negotiator, the official said.

"We are focusing on dialogue, not confrontation. India is the only country offered the opportunity to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the US. That itself is a signal of mutual respect," the official said, who spoke on condition of not being named.

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