NEW DELHI– India and the United States continue to share a robust and enduring global strategic partnership, founded on mutual interests, democratic values, and strong people-to-people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Friday, emphasizing that the relationship has withstood numerous transitions and challenges over time.
“Our focus remains on the substantive agenda agreed upon by both countries, and we are confident that the partnership will continue to progress,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi. His remarks came in response to questions regarding the state of India-U.S. relations following a new wave of tariffs announced by Washington.
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian imports, effective August 1, along with an unspecified penalty over India’s continued purchases of Russian energy.
“India will be paying a tariff of 25% starting on August 1,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding that India would also face a punitive tariff for buying energy from Russia.
Trump has threatened secondary sanctions—up to 100% tariffs—on all nations purchasing Russian energy, unless Moscow agrees to a ceasefire with Ukraine. While some experts see the move as a hardball negotiation tactic, it contrasts with earlier optimism expressed by Trump and officials like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who had hinted India would be among the first to finalize a trade deal.
India was an early participant in trade talks with the U.S. under Trump’s renewed tariff regime. As recently as last week, the former president had suggested an agreement was “imminent.”
Despite calling India “our friend,” Trump criticized the nation’s high tariffs and trade restrictions. “India has some of the highest tariffs in the world,” he claimed. “They also maintain the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country.”
Trump further accused India of buying most of its military hardware from Russia and being one of Moscow’s largest energy customers, alongside China. “All things not good!” he declared. “India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25%, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August 1.” He ended the post with his familiar slogan: “MAGA.” (Source: IANS)
