External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered a sharp rebuke to the United States at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, outlining three critical issues straining India-US relations: trade negotiations, India’s Russian oil imports, and US claims of mediating the India-Pakistan conflict. With US-President Donald Trump imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, Jaishankar emphasized India’s non-negotiable “red lines” in trade talks, particularly the protection of farmers and small producers.
“Trade is the major issue,” Jaishankar said, noting that negotiations for a bilateral trade deal have stalled due to India’s refusal to open its agricultural and dairy sectors. “We are committed to defending the interests of our farmers and small producers. That’s not something we can compromise on,” he asserted, highlighting India’s firm stance as additional US tariffs loom, effective August 27.
Jaishankar also defended India’s energy ties with Russia, which have faced criticism from the Trump administration for allegedly “profiteering” by purchasing discounted Russian crude and selling refined products at a premium. “It’s funny that a pro-business American administration accuses others of doing business,” he quipped. “If you don’t like buying our oil or refined products, don’t buy it. Europe buys, America buys.” He pointed out that China, the largest importer of Russian oil, and the European Union, the biggest buyer of Russian LNG, face no similar scrutiny, questioning the selective targeting of India. “We buy Russian oil to stabilize the global market, in our national interest and the world’s,” he added, framing it as an exercise of India’s strategic autonomy.
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On the India-Pakistan front, Jaishankar firmly rejected US claims of mediation in the brief May 2025 conflict, reiterating a national consensus spanning over 50 years that India does not accept third-party involvement in its relations with Pakistan. “Our position is clear: no mediation,” he stated, countering Trump’s assertions.
Jaishankar also noted the unconventional nature of Trump’s foreign policy, describing it as a departure from traditional diplomacy. “We’ve never had a US President conduct foreign policy so publicly,” he said, acknowledging the global challenge posed by this approach. Despite tensions, he clarified that India-US trade talks remain active, with open channels for dialogue.
Dismissing suggestions that India is warming to China amid strained US ties, Jaishankar called such analyses misguided. As India navigates these challenges, his remarks underscore a commitment to safeguarding national interests, from protecting farmers to maintaining energy security and strategic independence, even in the face of escalating trade and diplomatic pressures.
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