MEA on India-US Ties After Trump Tariffs
India Confident on US Ties despite Trump tariffs, Cites “Substantive Agenda”
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New Delhi: India remains confident that its relationship with the United States will continue to progress, despite the recent announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian imports by US President Donald Trump. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that the India-US partnership is robust and anchored in shared interests, capable of weathering challenges.
MEA Reaffirms Strength of India-US Defense Ties
Responding to President Trump’s claims of high trade barriers and India’s reliance on Russian oil and military hardware, MEA spokesperson Randhir jaiswal stated that the India-US relationship has “weathered many transitions and challenges” and remains “anchored in shared interests and mutual respect.”
“We have strong defense ties with the US which have been strengthening over the last several years,” Jaiswal said at his weekly press briefing. “There is potential for our defence partnership to grow further. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that both countries have committed to.”
Despite the imposition of tariffs, the ministry expressed optimism about the future trajectory of bilateral ties. “We are confident our relationship with the United States will continue to move forward,” Jaiswal added.
India’s Stance on Third-Country Influence
A key point articulated by the MEA was that bilateral relationships should not be viewed through the lens of third nations. “Ties with any country, and all the ties that we have with various countries, stand on their own merit and shouldn’t be seen through the prism of a third country,” Jaiswal asserted.this statement directly addressed President Trump’s rationale for the tariffs, which cited India’s dealings with Russia.
Jaiswal further elaborated on India’s approach to sourcing, stating, “The sourcing of defence requirement is resolute solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments. similarly, the sourcing of our energy needs…we are guided by what is available in the markets and by prevailing global circumstances.” He also affirmed that India and Russia share a “steady and time-tested partnership.”
India’s Commitment to Trade Negotiations
Earlier, India had reacted to President trump’s tariff announcement by stating its commitment to protecting national interests. “India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective,” a government statement had indicated.
The government also confirmed that it was actively studying the implications of the US tariff announcement. This proactive approach underscores India’s determination to navigate the complexities of international trade while safeguarding its economic well-being and strategic autonomy. The ongoing dialogue and the MEA’s confident outlook suggest a continued effort to manage the current trade friction and preserve the broader strategic partnership between the two nations.