WASHINGTON: The White House on Monday reaffirmed the strength of US-India relations, calling India a “very strategic ally” and indicating that a long-anticipated trade agreement between the two countries is close to being finalized.
Speaking at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions about President Donald Trump’s recent remarks suggesting that a trade deal with India was nearing conclusion.
“Yes, the President said that last week, and it remains true,” Leavitt stated. “I just spoke with our Secretary of Commerce. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They’re finalising the agreements, and you’ll hear more from the President and his trade team very soon with respect to India.”
Leavitt also addressed a question from Indian news agency ANI regarding the impact of China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific and how it shapes Washington’s partnership with New Delhi. “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia-Pacific. The President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that,” she said.
Her remarks come amid a broader US push to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s increasing economic and military assertiveness.
While no specific timeline was given, Leavitt’s comments signal that negotiations are in their final stages and that an announcement could come in the near future.
