India now shares the top spot with Brazil, which is also facing a combined 50% tariff under Trump’s adjusted trade regime.
Amid ongoing tariff tensions with US President Donald Trump, on Thursday Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi with both leaders committed to deepening strategic partnership, including in trade, energy, tech, defence, health and more.
Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order slapping an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for buying Russian oil, doubling it to 50%. India now shares the top spot with Brazil, which is also facing a combined 50% tariff under Trump’s adjusted trade regime.
But while India’s elevated tariffs are linked to its Russian energy trade, Brazil’s are said to be tied to political developments there.
The Prime Minister recalled his visit to Brazil last month during which the two leaders agreed on a framework to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, energy, defence, agriculture, health and people-to-people ties.
Building on these discussions, they reiterated their commitment to take India-Brazil Strategic Partnership to new heights, according to a statement from PMO.
In a tweet following his conversation, PM Modi said, “Had a good conversation with President Lula. Thanked him for making my visit to Brazil memorable and meaningful. We are committed to deepening our Strategic Partnership, including in trade, energy, tech, defence, health and more. A strong, people-centric partnership between Global South nations benefits everyone.”
The two leaders exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to remain in touch.
Meanwhile, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval called on Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday, the Kremlin press service said.
Doval is in Moscow for talks on bilateral energy and defence ties and to prepare the ground for Putin’s visit to India later this year, according to reports.
