The government is keen to keep bilateral trade talks on track and is exploring ways to increase purchases, say sources; whether buying F-35 jets is among the options remains to be seen; according to the government “no formal discussions have been held as yet on this (F-35) issue.”
Brushing aside US President Donald Trump’s tariff’ threats, India on Friday said its relations with America has weathered many transitions and challenges and the relationship would continue to move forward.
The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came a day after Trump imposed 25 percent tariff on India and described the Indian economy as “dead”.
Responding to US-imposed tariffs and penalties,
Jaiswal, said “We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward.”
“India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties.
“This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges,” Jaiswal said on Trump imposing 25% tariff and penalties on buying oil and weapons from Russia.
Regarding his threat of penalties for buying oil and arms from Russia, Jaiswal said India’s bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country.
India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership, and sourcing of energy and defence needs are as per our needs, he said.
The sourcing of our defence requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments, he added.
Regarding securing India’s energy needs, he said “we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances”
Sources say India is various weighing options, including boosting US imports, but ruled out any immediate retaliation to Trump’s 25% tariff threat.
Basically, what Trump seems to be looking for is a reaction. India believes silence is the answer and whatever has to be said or done will be on the negotiation table,” they said.
The government is keen to keep bilateral trade talks on track and is exploring ways to increase purchases. whether buying F-35 jets is among the options remains to be seen.
There have been no formal discussions on the sale of F-35 fighters jets to India, the government said on Friday. Replying to a question in Lok Sabha regarding the potential sale of the jets to India, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh wrote, “No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue.”
