New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that New Delhi’s ties with Washington are still “very positive” as US President Donald Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on Indian exports puts a strain on relations between the two countries.
Last month, the US hiked the total duty on Indian exports to 50 percent in retaliation over India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. That is the highest level in Asia and one of the highest ever imposed on a major trading partner by an American administration.
Trump’s tariffs, part of his escalating global trade war, have caused a rift in India-US ties after years of strong bonds between the two leaders going back to the US president’s first term.
“India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” Modi wrote on X, adding: “(I) deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties.”
His statement followed Trump’s earlier remarks to reporters in Washington, where he said that he would “always be friends” with Modi.
