Trump Says No Talks With India; US State Dept Says Dialogue Is On
Despite 50% tariff and oil row, State Dept says India remains a strategic partner for frank talks
Chennai: While US President Donald Trump ruled out further talks with India, the US State Department said that the country was engaging in a “full and frank dialogue” with India, even as Bloomberg reported that state oil refiners had halted Russian oil purchases.
When asked by reporters whether Trump expected talks with India to resume in light of the new 50 per cent tariff, Trump responded: "No, not until we get it resolved."
Both countries are locked in a stalemate over the trade imbalance and Russian oil purchases. However, there was not much clarity on whether Trump’s priority is the trade imbalance or Russian oil purchases.
The US had levied an additional tariff of 25 per cent on oil purchased from Russia, over and above the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs, bringing the total tariffs to 50 per cent.
The US State Department said that "India is a strategic partner" and that it is engaging with India in a "full and frank dialogue."
“India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in a full and frank dialogue. That will continue," US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told reporters.
"This is about an honest, full and frank dialogue about real concerns that this administration has — concerns that the President has outlined very clearly. He has addressed those concerns through his actions and public statements, whether it's about the purchase of Russian oil or about the trade imbalance,” he said.
“Addressing those concerns is important. The President has been very clear. Ultimately, this is about a frank and full dialogue. That’s what it means to advance American interests — that’s what it means to have full diplomatic dialogue with partners, to address concerns that we need to see addressed," he added.
When asked if there were concerns in Washington about "worsening ties" with India and the possibility of New Delhi "moving closer" to China, Pigott said that it was important to address differences through direct engagement.
While India has taken a firm stand against opening the country’s agricultural market and risking the livelihoods of its small and marginal farmers, Trump has been batting for the influential large farmers and ranchers of the US, especially in the Midwest region.
Bloomberg reported that India’s state-owned oil refiners — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum — have halted the purchase of Russian oil and are awaiting clear directions from the government.
