Overview
- President Trump on Friday doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent over New Delhi’s discounted Russian oil purchases and ruled out further trade negotiations until his concerns are addressed.
- US State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed a commitment to an “honest, full and frank dialogue” with India despite the tariff escalation.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs labeled the US duties unfair and unjustified, pointing to a double standard in Western purchases of Russian energy.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke separately with Presidents Vladimir Putin and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reaffirming the India-Russia strategic partnership and agreeing to expand cooperation with Brazil.
- China’s Foreign Ministry formally welcomed Modi to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, highlighting India’s multilateral outreach in the face of US pressure.