India, Jan. 9 -- The US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has become an unlikely lightning rod in global trade diplomacy. Once positioned as a tough negotiator tasked with delivering Donald Trump's "America First" trade agenda, Lutnick is now drawing criticism for a string of public missteps, exaggerated claims, and unusually blunt remarks, especially when it comes to India.

His recent comments on stalled India-US trade negotiations have not only stirred political debate in New Delhi but have also reinforced a growing perception within Washington that Lutnick's style is doing more harm than good.

The controversy intensified after Lutnick publicly claimed that a nearly finalised trade deal with India fell apart because Prime Minister Nar...