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Jaishankar further said that there has to be a trade understanding with the United States because it is the world’s largest market
EAM Jaishankar speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2025). (PTI)
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Sunday asserted that New Delhi is actively engaged in talks with Washington to resolve the ongoing trade issues.
While addressing the Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2025) in New Delhi, the Union Minister acknowledged the strength and maturity of Indo-US ties and also highlighted the current irritants, particularly in trade and energy cooperation.
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“We have issues with the United States today — mainly that we haven’t yet reached a landing ground in our trade discussions. This has led to certain tariffs being levied on us, which we have publicly said are unfair,” he said as quoted by news agency PTI.
He also highlighted the US’ discomfort over India’s energy imports from Russia and said that tariffs being levied on New Delhi are “unfair.”
“There is a second tariff related to sourcing energy from Russia, whereas other countries, even those with more adversarial relations with Russia, have done so. These issues need to be resolved, and we are actively working on them,” he added.
Jaishankar further said that there has to be a trade understanding with the United States because it is the world’s largest market, and also because much of the world has reached this understanding.
Jaishankar also emphasised the changing energy dynamics around the world, noting the United States’ transformation into an energy exporter and China’s dominance in renewables.
“One of the big changes in recent years is that the United States, which for decades worried about its external energy dependence, has not only become self-sufficient but is now a significant exporter of energy and has made it a key part of its strategic outlook,” the minister said.
“Just as the US has emerged as a champion of fossil fuels, China has established itself as a leader in renewables – so, whichever path you take on renewables, all roads eventually lead there as well,” Jaishankar added.
India-US Trade Talks Amid Tariff Row
US President Donald Trump levied 25% tariff on Indian shipments, along with an additional 25% tariff for New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, taking the total levies imposed on India to 50%.
India had strongly condemned the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” saying that imports are governed by market dynamics and are undertaken with the overarching goal of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indian citizens.
Amid the tariff row, India and the US have virtually engaged on a weekly basis on trade, ministerial, and diplomatic levels. Five rounds of negotiations for the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) have been held, and the sixth round of talks – scheduled from August 25 to 29 – was rescheduled following the imposition of 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods by the US.
According to a release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, “positive discussions were held” during the September 16 visit of officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative to India.
Last month, Trump expressed confidence that the two sides would have “no difficulty” in reaching a deal. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Modi’s leadership and thanked him for supporting peace efforts in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded that the discussions would help “unlock the limitless potential of the India–US partnership.”
The US President further praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a birthday message, calling him a “friend” and lauding his leadership as “tremendous.”
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
October 05, 2025, 18:01 IST
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