- March 15, 2025
EAM S Jaishankar Weighs In On India-US Relationship, Trump – News18

Last Updated:
Jaishankar asserted that India and US are ‘traditional allies’ and their bond is getting tighter than ever before.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar (File image/Reuters)
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar recently touched upon the ongoing tariff debate between India and the United States, asserting that both the countries are “traditional allies” and India’s bond with the US is getting tighter than ever before. Speaking of US President Donald Trump, Jaishankar said “he’s a very strong nationalist and in pursuit of his nationalist goals he’s very realist about many parts of the world.”
Terming both Trump and PM Modi like-minded nationalists, Jaishankar shared his views on the ongoing tariff issue, with the US President warning several countries, including India, of reciprocal trade tariffs.
“We have our issues,” said Jaishankar while talking to Financial Times. “I can see he [Trump] has his concerns,” the Foreign Affairs Minister added.
When asked if Trump is also a realist, Jaishankar answered in affirmative, according to the interview. He added that but “because you’re a realist doesn’t mean you don’t have beliefs and convictions and feelings. They coexist. I do think he’s a very strong nationalist and in pursuit of his nationalist goals he’s very realist about many parts of the world.”
Trump Threatens India With Reciprocal Tariffs
Last week, US President Donald Trump claimed India had agreed to lower its import duties against the US because he had “exposed” the country, saying “India charges US massive tariffs… massive”. “You can’t even sell anything in India…They have agreed, by the way, they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody is finally exposing them for what they have done,” the US President said.
However, India later said that New Delhi is still negotiating with the United States and has not made any commitments so far.