New Delhi, August 1, 2025 – India on Thursday responded firmly yet diplomatically to former US President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian imports, emphasizing that the India-US strategic partnership remains robust, resilient, and future-focused.
Trump’s tariff announcement, made via a post on TruthSocial, cited India’s “high trade barriers” and “continued dependence on Russian oil and military hardware” as the reasons behind the decision, adding that penalties would also be imposed starting August 1.
“India-US Ties Have Weathered Many Challenges”: MEA
Responding to the move, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) underscored that the India-US partnership has endured multiple transitions and is based on shared democratic values, mutual respect, and common strategic interests.
“We have strong defence ties with the US which have been strengthening over the last several years,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during the weekly press briefing.
“There is potential for our defence partnership to grow further. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that both countries have committed to.”
Jaiswal reaffirmed that India’s relationship with the US is not defined by third-party factors, referring to Trump’s criticism over India’s ties with Russia.
“Ties with any country…stand on their own merit and shouldn’t be seen through the prism of a third country,” he clarified.
India’s Energy and Defence Sourcing Is Strategic
Addressing Trump’s concerns about India’s military and energy ties with Russia, the MEA asserted that India’s procurement decisions are made based on national security priorities and market dynamics.
“The sourcing of defence requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments.
Similarly, the sourcing of our energy needs is guided by market availability and prevailing global circumstances,” Jaiswal said.
He also reiterated India’s longstanding and time-tested partnership with Russia, suggesting that India will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy that serves its national interests.
Commitment to Continued Bilateral Progress
Despite the tariff move, India remains optimistic about the trajectory of its relationship with the United States.
“We are confident our relationship with the United States will continue to move forward,” Jaiswal said, reinforcing the view that temporary setbacks won’t derail long-term cooperation.
The MEA also noted that India and the US had been actively engaged in talks aimed at concluding a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade agreement.
“We remain committed to that objective,” the ministry said in an earlier statement, adding that India is currently studying the implications of the new tariff measures and will take all steps necessary to protect national interests.
Context: Trump’s New Trade Attack
Former President Trump’s tariff announcement came just days after stalled trade talks in Washington. In his TruthSocial post, Trump had criticized India’s high tariffs, regulatory barriers, and strategic alignment with Russia and China, saying:
“INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY… STARTING ON AUGUST 1st.”
The move has sparked concern among Indian exporters and global trade observers, but New Delhi appears determined to approach the matter through diplomatic engagement rather than confrontation.
