Indian Prime Minister says ‘deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate’ US President’s sentiments and positive assessment of ties.
Washington/New Delhi: In a positive twist of events for the India-US economic and trade ties, President Donald Trump said, “I’ll always be friends” with Prime Minister Modi, and called him a "great Prime Minister." Hours after his comment, PM Modi reciprocated by saying that he appreciates and fully reciprocates Trump's sentiments.
“He’s a great Prime Minister. He’s great. I’ll always be friends, but I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a special relationship. There’s nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasions,” Trump said at a White House press conference.
Modi reciprocated by posting on his X handle, "Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership."
Modi's comments came hours after President Trump took a positive view when asked whether he blamed anyone for “losing India to China,” and he responded saying, “I don’t think we have.”
Trump further stated that he gets “along very well” with Modi but was “very disappointed” with India over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. “I've been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia, and let them know that we put a very big tariff on India, 50 per cent tariff, very hot tariff,” he noted.
Trump said that there will be “no difficulty” for the two countries to come to a successful conclusion in trade talks, and he looks forward to speaking with his "very good friend" Modi in the coming weeks. The US President said in a separate Truth Social post that he was “pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations.”
PM Modi reacted warmly to Trump's positive assessment of trade talks between the two countries, expressing confidence that the ongoing negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the partnership between them. “India and the US are close friends and natural partners”, Modi said on X, adding that both countries are working to conclude the trade discussions at the earliest.
Will sort out a deal with India: Lutnick
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said he believes the United States will sort out a trade deal with India as soon as New Delhi stops buying Russian oil. Lutnick made the comments during an interview with CNBC.
When asked about what trade issue with the US he was most focused on, Lutnick mentioned India. “Well, we're going to sort out India,” he said, adding that this will only be possible as soon as it stops purchasing Russian oil.
Lutnick's comments on the US-India trade deal come at a time when relations between the countries seem to be thawing after turning bitter over the past few months.
Earlier, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also indicated that the first tranche of the agreement with the United States on a trade deal should be finalized by November 2025.
“The first part of that agreement, the first tranche, should be finalized by November 2025, and since March, discussions have been going on on this subject very seriously in a very good environment, progress is being made, and with the progress, both sides are satisfied,” the Commerce Minister said. The sixth round of talks for the bilateral trade talks (BTA) was scheduled for August 25 in New Delhi, but the US delegation cancelled the visit.
