Overview

• Tharoor told ANI that relations have suffered a sharp setback but will return to an even keel in the longer run.
• He criticized the tariffs and rhetoric as unfair, noting job losses in India and a strong domestic backlash.
• Despite a cumulative 50% tariff on Indian goods and a $100,000 H-1B fee for new applications, sectoral cooperation in defence, intelligence, AI, IT and space continues.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the UNGA and said both sides agreed to sustain engagement on priority areas.
• Trade negotiations are ongoing toward a potential agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal leading talks in Washington, as a large 5.9 million-strong Indian-origin community underscores enduring ties.