WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — During a White House press conference centered on tariffs and a recent Supreme Court ruling, President Donald Trump made several remarks concerning India’s trade policies, its energy relationship with Russia, and tensions with Pakistan.
In response to a question about U.S.–India relations, Trump said India significantly reduced its purchases of Russian oil at his request. He described the move as part of broader diplomatic efforts connected to the war in Ukraine and said the shift reflected strong engagement between Washington and New Delhi. India has expanded imports of discounted Russian crude in recent years, even as Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow, though New Delhi has maintained that its energy decisions are based on national interest. Trump did not provide specific figures but said India had “pulled way back” from Russian oil purchases.
The president also addressed trade negotiations between the two countries, asserting that a new arrangement has reversed what he described as an imbalance under previous administrations. “We are not paying tariffs to them, and they are paying tariffs,” Trump said, adding that the two sides “did a little flip.” He characterized the updated framework as a fair deal for the United States and said India had previously imposed higher trade barriers while benefiting from access to the American market.
Asked about a possible trip to India for a Quad Summit, Trump described his relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “fantastic” and said trade discussions between the two nations are ongoing.
Trump also claimed he played a role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan during a recent confrontation. He said the situation risked escalating into a broader conflict and described it as potentially “going nuclear.” According to Trump, U.S. pressure — including the threat of significant tariffs — contributed to both sides stepping back. India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, have experienced repeated military tensions. While Trump did not provide specific dates or details, he said the Prime Minister of Pakistan credited U.S. involvement with de-escalation.
