India-US partnership weathered several challenges; it will continue to move forward: New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 1: In the face of US President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and his severe diatribe against it, India on Friday said its partnership with the US has “weathered” several “transitions and challenges” as it sounded confident of the ties continuing to move forward. New Delhi also said that its procurement of energy is guided by market dynamics and the prevailing global circumstances, remarks that came amid Trump’s criticism of New Delhi for procurement of Russian petroleum products notwithstanding Western sanctions.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India and Russia have a “steady and time-tested partnership” and that New Delhi’s bilateral ties with various countries should not be seen from the “prism” of a third country.
The comments by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came against the backdrop of Trump’s repeated criticism of India including his description of the Indian economy as “dead”.
“India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties,” Jaiswal said.
“This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward,” he said at his weekly media briefing.
The MEA spokesperson was responding to a volley of questions on Trump’s tariffs, his diatribe against India as well as his critical remarks on New Delhi’s trade ties with Russia. The US president on Wednesday announced the 25 per cent tariff on India along with an unspecified “penalty” for buying “vast majority” of Russian military equipment and crude oil, adding India has the “most strenuous and obnoxious” non-monetary trade barriers.
As India was analysing the potential impact of the US tariffs on its exports, Trump again blasted New Delhi for its trade links with Russia, indicating a serious strain in the bilateral ties. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”
Asked about the US criticism of India for its energy and military procurements from Russia, Jaiswal did not give a direct reply but said the broader approach is based on national interest. “In securing our energy needs, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances,” he said.
It is learnt some of the Indian refiners have put a temporary “pause” on procurement of Russian crude oil in view of market dynamics. “Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership,” Jaiswal said in response to a question.
