U.S. President Trump had not too long ago stated the U.S. was in search of “full trade barrier dropping” and better entry to the Indian market, although he admitted uncertainty about reaching that aim. File.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised India’s position as a strategic ally within the Indo-Pacific area throughout a press briefing on Monday (June 30, 2025). She additionally highlighted the sturdy private relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Responding to a query from ANI about how the U.S. views China’s affect within the Indo-Pacific area, Ms. Leavitt stated, “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that.”
Also learn | Resetting the India-U.S. partnership in unsure instances
The White House spokesperson’s remarks on India’s significance within the Indo-Pacific got here shortly after she addressed one other ANI query about a attainable trade deal between India and the U.S.
Addressing the media, Ms. Leavitt stated, “Yes, the President said that last week [that the US and India are very close to a trade deal], and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you’ll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India.”
Her remarks comply with President Trump’s latest assertion expressing optimism about securing a trade deal with India. While addressing a query on reciprocal tariffs, Mr. Trump stated the U.S. was in search of “full trade barrier dropping” and better entry to the Indian market, although he admitted uncertainty about reaching that aim.
“India, I think we are going to reach a deal where we have the right to go and do trade. Right now, it’s restricted. You can’t walk in there, you can’t even think about it. We are looking to get a full trade barrier dropping, which is unthinkable and I am not sure that that is going to happen. But as of this moment, we agree that going to India and trade…” Mr. Trump stated.
With lower than two weeks left earlier than the important July 9 deadline, either side are working to finalise the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) through the 90-day pause on tariff escalations.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is at the moment within the United States to attend the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. On Monday, he inaugurated an exhibition on the United Nations titled “The Human Cost of Terrorism,” which goals to attract international consideration to state-sponsored terrorism.
The QUAD is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. It is dedicated to supporting an open, secure, and affluent Indo-Pacific that’s inclusive and resilient. The grouping’s origin traces again to the joint humanitarian response to the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Earlier, on June 18, it was confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump accepted Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to attend the upcoming QUAD Summit in New Delhi later this yr. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had shared particulars of the telephone dialog that passed off between the 2 leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada.
“For the next meeting of QUAD, PM Modi invited President Trump to India. While accepting the invitation, President Trump said that he is excited to come to India,” Mr. Misri stated in a video message.
Published – July 01, 2025 06:57 am IST