Washington DC [US], February 4 (ANI): US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday highlighted the recently announced India-US trade deal and underscored the cordial relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the two leaders “share a very good relationship.”
Addressing reporters, Leavitt said that following direct talks between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, India committed to ending its purchases of Russian oil and increasing imports of crude oil from the United States, with the possibility of sourcing oil from Venezuela as well.
“Our manufacturing sector is obviously something the President cares deeply about. That’s why he’s so determined and dedicated to his tariff policy. As you all saw yesterday, the President struck another great trade deal with India. He spoke with Prime Minister Modi directly. They share a very good relationship,” Leavitt said.
She further claimed that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil and instead purchase energy from the US, a move she said would directly benefit the American economy and its people.
“In addition to that, Prime Minister Modi committed to USD 500 billion of investments into the United States, including for transportation, for energy, and for agricultural products as well. This is another great trade deal thanks to the President,” she added.
Leavitt also defended President Trump’s tariff policy, asserting that it was strengthening the US economy and boosting domestic manufacturing.
“The President’s tariffs are working, and his economic agenda is working. When you combine tariffs with restoring American manufacturing and investments in this country, you’re creating jobs. Construction jobs have surged in the past few months,” she said, adding that new factories being built in the US were putting Americans back to work.
Earlier, President Trump announced that the US and India had agreed to a trade deal, with Washington reducing reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, citing “friendship and respect” for Prime Minister Modi.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described PM Modi as one of his closest friends and a powerful and respected leader, stating that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil and to purchase more energy from the US.
Prime Minister Modi, responding on X, said it was wonderful to speak with his “dear friend President Trump” and welcomed the reduction in tariffs on Made in India products.
“Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement,” PM Modi wrote.
Meanwhile, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that sensitive sectors of India’s economy, particularly agriculture and dairy, had been protected under the India-US trade deal.
Addressing a press conference, Goyal said Prime Minister Modi had consistently championed the interests of farmers and dairy workers, ensuring that these critical sectors remained safeguarded.
“The sensitive factors of India’s economy, particularly agriculture and dairy, have been protected. There is widespread enthusiasm across the country,” Goyal said. (ANI)
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