India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman publicly welcomed the newly concluded trade agreement between India and the United States, describing it as a major positive development for citizens of both nations. In a statement posted on social media, she highlighted that Indian-made goods would now benefit from a significantly reduced tariff rate of 18 per cent when entering the US market. Sitharaman credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for their leadership in finalising the deal, stressing that the partnership between the world’s two largest democracies would create meaningful economic gains for their people.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also expressed strong support for the agreement, characterising India and the US as natural allies with complementary strengths. He noted that both countries have immense potential to collaborate on technological innovation, development solutions, and global stability. According to him, the trade pact would not only strengthen economic relations but also contribute to broader peace and progress worldwide. Vaishnaw further described the deal as mutually beneficial, predicting that businesses and citizens in both nations would see tangible advantages in the years ahead.
US President Donald Trump previously indicated that the agreement emerged from a direct conversation with Prime Minister Modi. He confirmed that American tariffs on Indian goods would be lowered to 18 per cent while India would ease certain trade barriers affecting US exports. Trump also claimed that India had agreed to reduce its purchases of Russian oil and instead increase imports of US energy, technology, and agricultural products, a move he said would reinforce bilateral ties and support diplomatic efforts related to the Ukraine conflict.
Prime Minister Modi, in his own social media message, thanked President Trump for the tariff reduction on Made in India products, framing it as a win for India’s 1.4 billion citizens. He emphasised that collaboration between two major economies and democratic nations naturally generates opportunities for shared prosperity. Modi also praised Trump’s role in promoting global peace and stability, affirming India’s support for those initiatives.
Concluding his remarks, the Indian Prime Minister expressed optimism about the future of the partnership, stating that he looked forward to working closely with the US administration to elevate bilateral cooperation to unprecedented levels across trade, technology, and strategic engagement.
