India on Friday expressed confidence that its relationship with the United States would continue to move forward and is focused on the agenda to be committed to both countries.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a regular media briefing that bilateral partnership with the United States has faced several changes and challenges and the two countries share a wide global strategic partnership.
Jaiswal’s comments came in response to questions on further questions for bilateral relations with the United States after US President Donald Trump decided to impose a fine of 25 percent tariffs on Indian goods and to impose a fine from Russia.
In response to a volley of questions on Trump’s decision, Jaiswal said that the government has already made a statement on the issue.
“India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in common interests, democratic values, and strong people with strong people. This partnership has faced many infections and challenges. We focus on the original agenda that our two countries have committed and the relationship will continue to move forward.”
Asked about media reports that some Indian oil companies have stopped taking oil from Russia, Jaiswal said that India has made its view on the issue clear.
“You are aware of our comprehensive approach to energy sourcing requirements, that we see what is available in the market and prevalent in the global situation. We don’t know about any nuances,” he said.
Announcing sanctions on Indian companies involved in trade with Iran, the US said, “We have noticed the restrictions, we are looking at it.”
Jaiswal refused to comment on Trump’s comment that India could one day buy oil from Pakistan. “I have no comments to offer in this case,” he said.
The government told Parliament on Thursday that US President Donald Trump has announced a mutual tariff on Indian goods, and it is investigating the impact of recent events and will take all necessary steps to protect the national interest.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal made a statement in the lower house of Parliament, a day after Trump’s announcement of tariff. Later he made a similar statement in Rajya Sabha. Goyal’s comment came a day after the government issued a statement on the US decision to impose tariffs.
On Wednesday, Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods and fines for import of Russian oil, even there were expectations of an interim Indo-American trade that helped otherwise help to avoid high tariffs.
Goyal said that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is interacting with exporters, industries and all stakeholders and collecting information about its assessment of the issue.
“On April 2, 2025, the US President issued an executive order on mutual tariff since April 2025 … Ten percent baseline duty. With 10% baseline tariff, a total of 26% tariff for India was announced. It was launched on 1 April on 1 April.
“The government gives extreme priority to the protection of welfare of farmers, laborers, entrepreneurs, industrialists, exporters, MSME and industrial sector.
The Union Minister said that in less than a decade, India came out of ‘delicate five’ economies and has now become the fastest growing economy in the world.
“Based on the hard work of reforms, farmers, MSMEs and industrialists, we have come to the top five economies in the world from the 11th largest economy. It is expected that we will be the third largest economy in a few years. Today, global institutes and economists see India as a bright place in the global economy.”
Goyal said that India and the United States started negotiations for a proper, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement (BTA) in March this year, and its goal was to end the first phase of the agreement by October-November 2025.
On April 2, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order on various business partners for mutual tariffs, with various tariffs in a range of 10–50 percent. Later, he applied 10 percent of the baseline tariff, kept the tariff for 90 days for 90 days. The deadline was to end on 9 July, and the US administration later extended it from 1 August.
In March 2025, India and the United States started negotiations for a BTA, stating that the first installment would be signed with the fall of 2025.
“India and America are engaged in conversation on the completion of a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement in the last few months. We are committed to that purpose. The government gives full importance to promote the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs and MSMEs and to take all steps for our citizens.” Trade agreement with the UK, ”it said.
There were some reservation from the Indian side for the US to open agriculture and dairy areas. Agriculture and dairy are important for India as both these areas provide livelihood opportunities to a large part of their people. President Donald Trump imposed mutual tariffs on dozens of countries with America’s trade deficit. Since assuming office for his second term, President Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff mutation, stressing that the United States, India, including other countries, will match the tariffs imposed by India, “to ensure proper trade”. (AI)
