New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked US President Donald Trump for reducing the tariff imposed on India to 18 per cent, calling the move a boost to bilateral cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies.
In a social media post, Modi said he was expressing gratitude on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, and underlined the importance of close India–US ties. “When two major economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and opens up vast opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Modi also described Trump’s leadership as vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity, and reaffirmed that India fully supports Trump’s peace initiatives. PM added that India looks forward to working closely with the US President to take the India–US partnership to unprecedented heights.
However, the Prime Minister did not comment on Trump’s other claims, including remarks about India stopping its purchase of Russian oil.
Trump had earlier stated that under an India–US agreement, India would end Russian oil imports and instead buy $500 billion worth of US energy and technology. PM also claimed that India’s decision to stop buying Russian oil would help bring an end to the Ukraine war.
The tariff reduction marks a significant shift in trade relations, with the US lowering duties on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, a move seen as a positive signal for strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
