Trump Strong on India-US Ties: White House
Washington, DC: The White House reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s commitment to strengthening India-US relations, describing the partnership as one that the US President feels “very strongly about” even as tensions over trade tariffs and oil imports from Russia continue.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The President feels positive and very strong about India-US relations. A few weeks ago, he spoke directly to the Prime Minister while celebrating Diwali in the Oval Office at the White House along with many senior Indian American officials.”
He added that the US has “a great Ambassador in India, Sergio Gor” and confirmed that Trump’s trade team was in “very serious discussions” with New Delhi. “I know the president has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and they talk quite often,” he said.
Leavitt’s remarks came just days after Trump claimed India had significantly reduced its purchases of Russian oil, calling New Delhi “very good” on that issue during his recent five-day tour of Asia. His comments were included in a series of statements since mid-October claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would reduce or stop crude imports from Moscow.
Trump’s claims come in the context of his administration’s effort to economically isolate Russia through sanctions and energy restrictions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to Trump’s comments, reiterating that the country’s energy supply decisions are based on national interest and consumer welfare.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “India is a major importer of oil and gas. Protecting the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario has been our consistent priority. Our import policies are fully guided by this objective.”
He added that India’s energy policy focuses on ensuring stable prices and secure supply through source diversification. “As far as the US is concerned, we have tried to expand our energy supply for many years. This has progressed steadily over the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” Jaiswal said.
Relations between New Delhi and Washington faced tensions after the US imposed high trade tariffs on India in August. The US has imposed a 50 percent tariff, including 25 percent secondary tariffs, on India’s ongoing oil purchases from Russia as a penalty.
In August, India called the move “unfair, unjust and unreasonable,” while Trump called US-India trade relations a “completely one-sided disaster.”
Addressing corporate leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea last week, Trump also claimed that he “threatened India and Pakistan with tariffs” to prevent a potential nuclear war.
His remarks were in reference to India’s Operation Sindoor, which was launched in May following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. Trump claimed he played an important role in preventing a larger conflict.
However, India has flatly rejected Trump’s version of the incident. MEA stated that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan was maintained through military communication channels established between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both sides.
“India’s position has not changed; all issues with Pakistan will be resolved bilaterally, without the involvement of any third party,” the ministry said.
