By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday reacted cautiously to US President Donald Trump’s decision to slap 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports and called that our economy “dead”, asserted that the bilateral relationship has weathered several transitions and challenges, and expressed confidence that it would continue to move forward.
Jaiswal responded to a question on India-US ties following the announcement of new tariffs imposed by the US, said, “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 the two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward,” he said.
“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.
“As far as security is concerned, I would like to say that security ties between India and America are quite strong. There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century,” he said.
Jaiswal said India has taken note of the US sanctions on six Indian companies for the purchase of petroleum products from Iran.
He refused to comment on President Trump’s statement that India may purchase oil from Pakistan one day after announced an energy deal with Islamabad.
Jaiswal said, “We have taken note of the sanctions, we are looking into it,” on the US announces sanctions on Indian companies involved in trading with Iran.
US has imposed sanctions on 20 entities involved in Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, or petrochemical trade, and is identifying 10 vessels as blocked property, including seven India-based companies.
On Trump’s statement that India may purchase oil from Pakistan one day, the MEA spokesperson said, “I have no comments to offer in this matter”.
Trump announced imposing 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods and an unspecified penalty over purchases from Russia, starting Friday.
“India will be paying a tariff of 25 per cent” starting on August 1, Trump posted on Truth Social.
He said India would also face an additional tariff penalty for buying Russian energy.
