The White House on Tuesday reaffirmed that US President Donald Trump remains committed to strengthening relations with India and continues to stay in regular contact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite ongoing differences over trade tariffs and India’s oil imports from Russia.
Describing the India-US partnership as one the President “values very strongly,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “The President is positive and feels very strongly about the India-US relationship. Just a few weeks ago, he spoke directly with the Prime Minister after celebrating Diwali in the Oval Office alongside senior Indian-American officials.”
Leavitt added that the US has “a great Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor,” and confirmed that the President’s trade team is in “very serious discussions” with New Delhi. “President Trump has great respect for Prime Minister Modi, and they speak quite frequently,” she noted.
Her comments come days after Trump said India had reduced its purchases of Russian oil, calling New Delhi “very good” on the issue during his recent five-day Asia tour. Since mid-October, Trump has repeatedly asserted that Prime Minister Modi assured him India would curtail or halt crude imports from Moscow — part of Washington’s broader strategy to isolate Russia through sanctions and energy restrictions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Responding to Trump’s claims earlier this month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) maintained that India’s energy decisions are guided by national interest and consumer welfare. “India is a major importer of oil and gas. Our consistent priority has been to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers amid a volatile energy environment,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
He emphasised that India’s energy policy is focused on ensuring stable prices and secure supply chains through diversified sourcing. “With the US, we’ve consistently sought to expand our energy cooperation. That progress has been steady over the past decade, and discussions remain ongoing with the current administration,” Jaiswal added.
Tensions between the two nations have deepened since Washington imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods in August — a 50% duty, including an additional 25% secondary levy — in response to New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Russia.
India denounced the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” while Trump described bilateral trade relations as a “totally one-sided disaster.” Despite the friction, both sides continue diplomatic engagement, with the White House insisting that the foundation of the India-US partnership “remains strong and forward-looking.”
