India-US commerce deal: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday stated that America would have a ‘nice’ commerce cope with India. Trump’s assertion got here throughout his go to to the World Financial Discussion board (WEF) being held at Davos in Switzerland.Chatting with Moneycontrol on the sidelines of the WEF the place he delivered a speech, Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed confidence in an India-US commerce deal. “I’ve nice respect on your Prime Minister. He’s a incredible man and a buddy of mine. We’re going to have a very good deal,” Trump was quoted as saying.Trump’s remarks come at a time when the US has imposed 50% tariffs on India – among the many highest on the earth. Whereas each nations have reiterated that commerce talks and negotiations proceed, a deal nonetheless stays elusive.Earlier this month, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor assumed cost and expressed confidence in India-US ties. Gor voiced sturdy help for the continued commerce negotiations, saying each nations are firmly dedicated to reaching an settlement. Whereas describing the bond between Trump and PM Modi as real, Gor stated the US president may go to India “hopefully within the subsequent yr or two”. He stated the India-US relationship rests not solely on shared pursuits but additionally on engagement on the highest political ranges, including that true companions could differ at instances however in the end resolve their disagreements.“Keep in mind, India is the world’s largest nation, so it isn’t a simple process to get this throughout the end line, however we’re decided to get there. And whereas commerce is essential for our relationship, we’ll proceed to work intently collectively on different essential areas equivalent to safety, counterterrorism, power, expertise, training, and well being,” he added.Gor was beneficiant in his reward of Modi, calling him an distinctive chief. “I used to be with the President…and as we had dinner proper after New Yr’s, he recounted his unbelievable expertise visiting right here and in addition his nice friendship with the nice Prime Minister of India, Prime Minister Modi,” stated Gor, who beforehand served as a detailed aide to Trump. “I’ve traveled all around the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is actual,” he added.
US Claims PM Modi ‘didn’t name’; MEA Rebuts
Earlier this month, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that the India-US commerce deal didn’t materialise as a result of PM Modi didn’t place a name to Trump. The Ministry of Exterior Affairs, nonetheless, stated the outline of occasions was inaccurate and reaffirmed India’s willingness to pursue a commerce pact that delivers advantages to each side.Lutnick had stated on a podcast that India had “missed the practice” by not reaching out to Trump inside a three-week window, not like leaders from a number of different nations. Responding to the remarks, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated India and the USA had been engaged in discussions on a bilateral commerce settlement since February 13 final yr and had repeatedly come near finalising a deal.“We now have seen the remarks. India and the US had been dedicated to negotiating a bilateral commerce settlement with the US way back to Feb 13 final yr… On a number of events, we’ve got been near a deal… We stay focused on a mutually helpful commerce deal between two complementary economies and look ahead to concluding it,” he stated.India and the US have held 5 rounds of official-level talks since negotiations started final February, alongside discussions on the ministerial degree. Jaiswal additionally famous that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump had spoken by telephone eight instances in 2025, overlaying a broad vary of points linked to the bilateral partnership.
