Trump Hints at Ongoing US-India Trade Deal, Claims Role in Ending India-Pakistan Tensions; New Delhi Responds Positively Amid Tariff Strains
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated that Washington is working towards finalising a trade agreement with India, while showering praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea, Trump called Modi “the nicest-looking guy,” yet “tough as hell,” and emphasized the strong personal rapport he shares with the Indian leader.
Trump also claimed that earlier this year, he played a decisive role in diffusing rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
According to him, he leveraged ongoing trade discussions with both nations to prevent what he described as a looming military conflict.
Trump said he told PM Modi that the U.S. could not proceed with a trade pact if India was “starting a war” with Pakistan.
He asserted that his intervention led to a swift de-escalation: “After literally two days, they called and said, ‘We understand,’ and they stopped fighting,” he remarked.
The episode he referred to was the fierce India-Pakistan standoff from May 7 to 10, under India’s Operation Sindoor — the most serious confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours since the Balakot strikes.
The escalation ended after military leaders from both sides communicated via hotline and Pakistan requested a ceasefire.
These comments come at a time when New Delhi and Washington have been navigating strained trade relations.
The U.S. recently imposed steep tariffs of up to 50% on selected Indian products and an additional 25% duty on India’s purchase of Russian crude oil — a move India termed “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”
Trump had also recently claimed that PM Modi assured him India would halt Russian oil imports — a claim India officially denied.
Nevertheless, his fresh remarks hinting at an ongoing trade deal have been viewed positively by policymakers in New Delhi, signaling a potential improvement in bilateral economic cooperation.
A successful trade agreement would provide a significant boost to India’s export environment and help cushion the economy against global pressures.
Speaking upon his return from Europe, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stressed that India aims for a balanced and mutually beneficial deal rather than rushing to meet deadlines.
“We never negotiate with deadlines… A good deal should be beneficial for both parties.
It could be done in December or November,” he said, indicating the government’s cautious yet optimistic approach.
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