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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
MEA dials down Trump noise: India, US weathered challenges, focus on future
OVER 30 remarks crediting himself for the India-Pakistan ceasefire, referring to India as a 'dead economy,' dropping the 25% tariff bombshell and a Russia penalty even as talks are on — US President Donald Trump's diatribe was met Friday by diplomatic pragmatism from the Ministry of External Affairs. Underlining that the India-US partnership has 'weathered several transitions and challenges,' the MEA said that New Delhi will remain 'focused on the substantive agenda' even as it flagged that its friendship with Russia was 'time-tested.' This response came the day Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on dozens of countries including 25 per cent for goods from India. Responding to a question, MEA's official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Friday: '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 weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward.' Asked about India-US defence ties in the wake of reports of India refusing to consider F-35 fighter jets, the MEA spokesperson said, 'We have a strong defence partnership with the U.S. which has been strengthening over the last several years. There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century.' Responding to Trump's talk of a penalty on India for buying energy from Russia, Jaiswal said: 'In securing our energy needs, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances.' Incidentally, this has been Delhi's position for the last three years, since the war in Ukraine broke out after the Russian invasion in February 2022. On Trump's tirade against India-Russia ties and that they are both 'dead economies', the MEA spokesperson said: 'Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership.' On Trump's anger at India buying Russian defence equipment, he said, 'The sourcing of our defence requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments.' While India does depend on Russia for the defence supplies, much of it is because of the legacy from the Soviet Union era. Although the dependency is about 60 to 70 per cent, India has, in the past few years, steadily diversified its defence purchases from countries including the US. Yet, the framing by Trump — 'I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care' — has been seen as offensive by many. While his criticism of India putting high tariffs has been a pet grievance from his first term — when he called India a 'tariff king' — the US President's latest statement described India's trade policies as 'most strenuous and obnoxious'. Trump's remarks deepen Delhi's diplomatic challenge when India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade deal. There are two possible impulses that guide Trump's responses, according to Delhi's analysis. First, his negotiating style to browbeat and bully the adversary by imposing high tariffs and try and get the deal on his own terms. This has been seen with China, where he imposed 145 per cent tariffs and then dialled down to 35 – after talks in Geneva. Second, some in the Indian establishment feel that the US President has not taken very kindly to Delhi fact-checking Trump's claims on brokering a ceasefire. Not only has PM Narendra Modi conveyed this in the phone call with Trump on June 17, but Indian ministers and officials have repeatedly denied the claim. Despite not stating that President Trump is a 'liar' — as demanded by Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi — the Indian government has forcefully contradicted the US President. But New Delhi feels that Trump's remarks threaten to undo the hard work made by the two countries as 'strategic partners' in a relationship that was framed as the 'defining partnership of the 21st century' by US President Barack Obama. South Block is, however, trying to not get drawn into an emotional and angry response, and is projecting restraint amid the US President's verbal tirade and social media blitzkrieg of epithets directed at India. While the Commerce ministry said it has 'taken note' of Trump's statement on bilateral trade and the Government is studying its implications, sources said that any response had to be shorn of emotion. '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 Commerce ministry statement had said. Sources said that negotiators from both sides are in touch and they have to be immune from the noise. The diplomatic challenge is three-fold, sources said: how long can Delhi stand its ground against the US; whether India can engage with Trump's inner circle; and whether they can overcome the distrust fuelled by the Trump's comments in the long term. 'We will not get drawn into the tit-for-tat response with the US President, and our negotiators have been asked to not pay attention to Trump's unique style of public negotiations. Those are best left to be done away from the public gaze,' a source said. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trade war: 'India's ties with US have weathered many transitions,' says MEA
NEW DELHI: Even as the India-US relationship comes under strain because of President Donald Trump's trade weaponisation, the Indian govt reposed hope in bilateral ties, with the ministry of external affairs (MEA) saying on Friday that the partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges, and that India is confident the relationship will continue to move forward. "This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward," MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said. At the same time, the govt underlined the significance of the relationship with Russia calling it steady and time-tested. MEA: India and Russia have time-tested ties Trump announced 25% tariffs on imports from India this week and also threatened to impose a penalty for India's oil and defence procurement from Russia. On crude imports from Russia, govt reiterated India's position that it's guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances, in securing its energy needs. On defence procurements, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said sourcing of India's defence requirements is determined solely by its national security imperatives and strategic assessments. Despite repeated provocations by Trump, India has so far avoided getting into a slanging match with Americans, focusing instead on ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal that it hopes will alleviate some of the President's concerns about US' lopsided trade with India. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stylish New Mobility Scooters Available for Seniors (Prices May Surprise You) Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Search Now Undo Asked about Trump tariffs and its implications for the relationship, the official said India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values and robust people-to-people ties. On defence cooperation, Jaiswal said India has a strong defence partnership with the US that has been strengthening over the past several years. There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century. In Feb this year, Trump and PM Modi launched a new initiative — the 'US-India COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century' — to drive 'transformative change' across key pillars of cooperation. Asked about ties with Russia, the official said India's bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. 'India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership,' added the official. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . Discover stories of India's leading eco-innovators at Ecopreneur Honours 2025
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Amid criticism, India backs strategic ties with US
India underscored the depth of long-standing ties with the US while defending its relationship with Russia and energy purchases from that country. US President Donald Trump and secretary of state Marco Rubio have been critical of India buying oil from Russia. Trump has also been attacking India's trade stance ahead of the US imposing a 25% tariff on the country's goods. "India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a briefing in the capital on Friday. "This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward." He underscored the military ties between the two countries."We have a strong defence partnership with the US which has been strengthening over the last several years," Jaiswal said. "There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century."This was a reference to the initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump during their February summit in Washington DC--Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology for the 21st Century or COMPACT. This will "drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation," including defence industry cooperation. However, Jaiswal said that the "sourcing of our defence requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments." He didn't mention F-35 fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin that the US wants India to said the relationship with Russia was a longstanding one. "India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership," he said. "Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country."When asked about a report on Indian state-run oil refiners pausing purchases of Russian oil, Jaiswal said, "In securing our energy needs, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances."Rubio had on Thursday said that India's purchase of oil from Russia is "most certainly a point of irritation" in ties between the two countries. He told Fox Radio that this was helping to sustain Moscow's war effort in Ukraine."Look, global trade... India is an ally. It's a strategic partner. Like anything in foreign policy, you're not going to align 100% of the time on everything," Rubio said when asked if President Trump was "upset" with India getting a "great portion" of the discounted oil from Russia. "India has huge energy needs and that includes the ability to buy oil and coal and gas and things that it needs to power its economy like every country does, and it buys it from Russia, because Russian oil is sanctioned and cheap and... they're selling it under the global price because of the sanctions. And that, unfortunately, is helping to sustain the Russian war effort," Rubio said.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Govt sources hopeful White House will modify tariffs on India downwards
Opting to ignore US President Donald Trump's unsavoury social media posts in the larger interest of maintaining steady India-US ties, Indian officials have continued engaging with their American counterparts over the past two days regarding the White House's threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff, plus a penalty, on goods from India. Official sources said on Friday evening that they were hopeful the White House would better appreciate New Delhi's perspective and modify the tariffs on India, potentially lowering them to levels comparable to those proposed for countries like Vietnam (20 per cent) and Indonesia (19 per cent). Government sources expressed surprise at Trump's Wednesday evening (India time) announcement of the 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. However, they have chosen to communicate New Delhi's viewpoint on the India-US trade deal and the country's long-standing ties with Russia behind closed doors rather than making public statements. "We are a responsible nation, and we would prefer to deal with sensitive issues with the maturity they deserve rather than resort to social media," a government source said. At this point, the government is not considering any retaliatory action against the US. New Delhi's official response during the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly media briefing to questions about Trump's social media posts on tariffs, India's economy, and its relations with Russia was suitably measured. The MEA emphasized that India-US ties have 'weathered several transitions and challenges' and will continue to progress. When asked if India had decided not to purchase F-35 fighter jets, Jaiswal said the question should be directed to the relevant ministry. He added that India and the US have a strong defense partnership that has grown over the years. "There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US COMPACT for the 21st Century," Jaiswal said. On India's energy procurement, particularly regarding Russian crude, Jaiswal stated it is driven by national interest. 'In securing our energy needs, we are guided by what is available in the markets and the prevailing global circumstances,' he said. Responding to Trump's criticism of India's continued defense and energy purchases from Moscow, Jaiswal emphasized that India and Russia share a 'steady and time-tested partnership.' 'The sourcing of our defense requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments,' Jaiswal said.
NDTV
17-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Veteran Indian Diplomat Taranjit Sandhu Joins US-India Forum With Top Role
Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed Advisor to the Board of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Chairman of its newly established Geopolitical Institute. The veteran Indian diplomat and former envoy to the United States has a diplomatic career spanning nearly 40 years. "I am delighted to join the US India Strategic Partnership Forum as Chairman of its Geopolitical Institute," Mr Sandhu said. "I have had the opportunity to work on as well as follow the India-US story for over three decades. The relationship has evolved into a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, underpinned by shared values and interests, matured in character and nurtured by the vibrant people-to-people ties between the two countries." He will now guide USISPF's strategic initiatives, particularly focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, US), and the I2U2 grouping comprising India, Israel, the US, and the UAE. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump brought "renewed vigour" to the partnership through the India-US COMPACT, with a focus on defence, energy, trade, and technology, he said. Mr Sandhu's association with USISPF is not new. During his tenure as India's Ambassador to the US from 2020 to 2024, he worked closely with the Forum to deepen bilateral ties. His diplomatic career also includes three stints in Washington, DC, including serving as Deputy Chief of Mission under then-Ambassador S Jaishankar. He played a key role in organising events such as PM Modi's 2014 Madison Square Garden address, Trump's 2020 India visit, and the 2024 state visit of PM Modi to Washington. "New Delhi has always sent its brightest minds to Washington, but few have come more experienced in understanding the contours of US-India relations than Ambassador Sandhu," said Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of USISPF. "Having worked closely with Ambassador Sandhu during his diplomatic days, I am eager to engage with him in this new avatar, this time with his new USISPF hat." As Chair of the Geopolitical Institute, Mr Sandhu will help shape USISPF's approach to evolving geopolitical dynamics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. His focus areas will include defence cooperation, vaccine diplomacy, critical and emerging technologies, and energy partnerships. He will also offer strategic insights on regional initiatives like IMEC and I2U2, both of which gained significant momentum during his tenure in Washington.
