5 days ago
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday declined to comment on US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks in which he mentioned India, Russia and China.
Trump made the remarks in a post on X, days after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
‘No comments at this time’
"I have no comments to offer on this post at this time," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries. Answering another query, Jaiswal underlined that the relationship between the United States and India is “very important” for New Delhi.
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"Both our countries share a comprehensive global strategic partnership, which is anchored in our 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 we hope that the relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests," Jaiswal said.
He drew attention to a joint military exercise underway in Alaska and the recent 2+2 inter-sessional meeting, adding that India remained committed to strengthening its engagement with the US.
Trade, Quad and Ukraine conflict
The MEA spokesperson also said India continues to stay engaged with Washington on trade issues.
"We see the Quad as a valuable forum for discussion among the four member countries on shared interests on several issues. The leaders' summit is scheduled through diplomatic consultations among the member countries. As far as the Ukraine conflict is concerned, we welcome all the recent efforts towards establishing peace in Ukraine. We hope that all parties will proceed constructively. India supports an early end to the conflict and the establishment of enduring peace," he noted.
What Trump said in his post on Truth Social?
The row stems from Trump’s post following the SCO Summit.
The United States has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, including 25 per cent penalty for importing Russian oil. "Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!" Trump said in his post on Truth Social.
Rising tensions between US-India
Relations between New Delhi and Washington have come under strain since the US president imposed steep duties. Indian goods now face a 50 per cent duty in the US, including an additional 25 per cent penalty for New Delhi’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
Trump had earlier slapped tariffs as high as 145 per cent on Chinese imports, before later negotiating an interim deal that lowered US duties on Chinese goods to 30 per cent, while Beijing reduced tariffs on American products from 125 per cent to 10 per cent.
English (US) ·