Responding to US tariff, India says bilateral relationship will continue to move forward

Responding to the US-imposed tariff and penalty, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said the India-US ties have seen several transitions and challenges, and the relationship will continue to move forward.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to questions at a media briefing, said, "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."

India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges, Jaiswal said when asked about the Donald Trump- imposed 25% tariff and also penalties on buying oil and weapons from Russia.

Asked about the India-US defence ties, Jaiswal said, "We have a strong defence partnership with the US which has been strengthening over the last several years."

Jaiswal said there is a potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US 'COMPACT' arrangement for the 21st century.

Asked about penalties for ties with Russia, Jaiswal downplayed the threat, saying, "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, and sourcing of energy and defence needs are as per our needs, Jaiswal said.

The sourcing of our defence requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments, he added.