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TradeDeal – The updated trade arrangement between India and the United States, which lowers import tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, has prompted fresh calls in Washington to accelerate diplomatic and economic engagement between the two countries. US Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove said the revised tariff structure should serve as a starting point for rebuilding momentum in the bilateral relationship.

Call to Repair Strained Cooperation

Speaking after the announcement, Kamlager-Dove urged the US administration to move quickly to restore cooperation that she said had suffered under earlier trade restrictions. She criticised the previously imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, noting that a significant portion of those duties was linked to India’s energy purchases from Russia. According to her, the steep tariffs disrupted progress in several areas of collaboration and weakened diplomatic ties.

She said the earlier measures had effectively stalled a year’s worth of engagement between the two nations. Among the setbacks, she pointed to the delay of the Quad Leaders’ Summit, a key multilateral meeting involving India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, which had been expected to take place last year.

Urging Swift Diplomatic Momentum

In a public statement shared on social media, the Congresswoman said the new agreement removes any justification for continued delays in strengthening ties. She stressed that both governments should now focus on advancing cooperation across strategic, economic, and regional priorities, arguing that the opportunity to regain lost ground should not be missed.

Her comments followed an announcement earlier in the day by US President Donald Trump, who confirmed that Washington and New Delhi had reached a trade agreement reducing reciprocal tariffs from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. He described the decision as a gesture reflecting mutual respect and goodwill between the two countries’ leadership.

Trump Highlights Talks With Indian Prime Minister

In a post on his social media platform, Trump said he had spoken directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described him as a close friend and a respected global leader. The US President said their conversation covered a range of topics, including trade and international security concerns.

Trump also claimed that during the discussion, Modi agreed to halt India’s purchases of Russian oil and expand energy imports from the United States. He suggested that such a shift could also support broader international efforts related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Commitments on Tariffs and Market Access

According to Trump’s statement, the agreement includes commitments from India to lower both tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting US goods. He said these changes would help create a more balanced trade environment and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

The announcement marked a notable shift from the earlier trade stance that had imposed additional duties on Indian imports. Those measures had been widely viewed as a source of friction in an otherwise expanding strategic partnership.

Modi Welcomes Reduced Tariffs

Prime Minister Modi later confirmed the discussion in his own message on social media, saying he was pleased with the outcome of the talks. He welcomed the reduction in tariffs on Indian-made products and thanked the US President for the decision, noting its significance for Indian exporters and manufacturers.

Modi described the conversation as positive and said the tariff cut would benefit Indian businesses seeking greater access to the US market. His remarks underscored the importance New Delhi places on trade as a pillar of the bilateral relationship.

White House Clarifies Energy Condition

Following the public statements, a White House official clarified that the United States would also remove an additional 25 per cent tariff imposed earlier due to India’s Russian oil imports. However, the official stressed that the understanding requires India to fully cease such purchases rather than merely reduce them.

When asked whether the tariff relief was directly linked to India’s energy decisions, the official confirmed that ending Russian oil imports was a key condition of the agreement.

Looking Ahead

The revised trade framework signals a potential reset in India-US relations after a period of strain. With tariffs eased and expectations outlined, both sides now face pressure to translate the agreement into broader cooperation across economic and strategic fronts.