NEW DELHI – In the wake of new tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reasserted the strength and resilience of the India-U.S. strategic partnership. The comments from MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came after President Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing high trade barriers and India’s continued reliance on Russian oil and military hardware.
At his weekly press briefing, Jaiswal emphasized that the India-U.S. relationship has “weathered many transitions and challenges” and is grounded in shared interests and mutual respect. He highlighted the significant progress in defense cooperation, stating, “We have strong defence ties with the US which have been strengthening over the last several years. There is potential for our defence partnership to grow further.”
Jaiswal’s remarks directly addressed the criticism from Trump, who has linked the new tariffs to India’s trade with Russia. The MEA spokesperson underscored that India’s bilateral relationships are independent and not influenced by its ties with other nations. “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,” he said.
The MEA’s response projects confidence in the future of the relationship, despite the immediate trade friction. While India is carefully examining the implications of the new tariffs, Jaiswal’s comments suggest that the government remains committed to its long-term strategic partnership with the U.S. and its own national interests, including its defense and energy ties with Russia.