‘New Delhi committed to no longer purchasing Russian oil’: White House on India-US trade deal

The White House has underlined the close ties between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while announcing a major new trade agreement, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the two leaders “share a very good relationship”.

Speaking to reporters, Leavitt said President Trump had personally spoken to Modi as part of the negotiations. “The President struck another great trade deal with India. He spoke with Prime Minister Modi directly. They share a very good relationship. India is committed to not only no longer purchasing Russian oil, but buying oil from the United States, also perhaps from Venezuela too, which we know will now have a direct benefit on the United States and the American people,” she said.




She linked the deal to Trump’s wider economic push, especially on manufacturing and tariffs. “Our manufacturing sector is obviously something the president cares deeply about. That's why he's so determined and dedicated to his tariff policy… India committed to not only no longer purchasing Russian oil but buying oil from the United States also perhaps from Venezuela too… And in addition to that, Prime Minister Modi committed to $500 billion dollars of investments into the United States, including for transportation, for energy, and for agricultural products as well. So, this is another great trade deal thanks to President,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt argued that Trump’s tariff strategy is already delivering results at home. “Well, the president's tariffs are working and his economic agenda is working… you're creating jobs. We've seen construction jobs have surged in the past few months,” she said, adding, “That's because those factories are being built right here in the United States and we're putting Americans to work.”

In an earlier interview, she described the leaders’ direct engagement. “...when it comes to Prime Minister Modi, I know he (Trump) particularly enjoys their relationship and has a deep respect for the Prime Minister and for his country of India. They had a great call. It was very productive yesterday,” she said, repeating that India had agreed to shift oil purchases and expand buying from the US.

Trump also welcomed the outcome publicly. “Our amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward. Prime Minister Modi and I are two people who GET THINGS DONE, something that cannot be said for most,” he said.

Modi, in turn, called Trump his “dear friend” and said he was “Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent,” thanking the US president “on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India”.