‘Potential for Growth’: MEA on India-US Ties After Trump’s 25% Tariffs

‘Potential for Growth’: On Friday, the ministry of external affairs said that India-US ties have seen many ups and downs and are on a positive trajectory, just two days after Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on India.

At a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ongoing trade issues with US will not impact the security partnership with Washington.

"India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has withstood several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that the two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward," he said.

“We have strong defence ties with the US which have been strengthening over the last several years,” MEA spokesperson Randhir 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.”

Also Read: Indian Interests Top Priority, No Compromise Over US Tariffs: Sources

Despite the latest tariff announcement, the ministry is confident the relationship will move forward. “We are confident our relationship with the United States will continue to move forward,” Jaiswal added.

The MEA also said ties between two countries shouldn’t be seen through the prism of a third country. “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 said.

This was days after Trump mentioned India buying oil and military equipment from Russia as he announced 25 per cent tariffs plus penalties for India.

The MEA spokesperson also said India and Russia have had a steady and tested partnership.

Also Read: Ex-Karnataka Clerk Owns 24 Houses, ₹30 Crore Assets on ₹15,000 Salary

When asked about India's sourcing of energy and military equipment, he said, “The sourcing of defence requirement is determined 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.”

India had earlier reacted to Trump’s tariff announcement, saying it will take all steps to protect 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,” the government had said in a statement.

It had also said it was studying the implications of Trump’s tariff announcement.

Also Read: Emergency Drills at 55 Delhi Sites Test Earthquake Readiness in ‘Suraksha Chakra’