Reiterating it’s stance of ‘finding out’ silence over commerce tariffs, India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) stated it’s “finding out the implications” of US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on Indian items, as each nations work towards finalising a bilateral commerce settlement.
Responding to the steep 26 per cent tariffs on Indian imports that got here into impact on Wednesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that discussions between the Indian and US commerce groups are ongoing.
“We’re finding out the implications of the tariffs which were introduced,” he stated at a briefing on April 9.
“On the third, we had an in depth press launch issued by the Ministry of Commerce the place India’s place was made clear. We’re finding out the implications of the tariffs which were introduced,” he added.
“Reciprocal tariffs and discussions are ongoing between India and US Commerce groups for an expeditious conclusion of a mutually helpful multi-sectoral bilateral commerce settlement. India values its complete world strategic partnership with the US and is dedicated to working carefully with it…Each groups are in dialogue and hopefully we will shut it,” he stated as quoted by information company ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi | On the India-US commerce settlement, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “On the third, we had an in depth press launch issued by the Ministry of Commerce the place India’s place was made clear. We’re finding out the implications of the tariffs which were… pic.twitter.com/Eb0EmEaMdx
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2025
When requested about talks between Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his US counterpart Marco Rubio, earlier this week, Jaiswal stated, “Additionally they mentioned the significance of the early conclusion of the bilateral commerce settlement. So, that was kind of what comprised the discussions between two leaders.”
New Delhi stated on April 3 that it was finding out the modifications in America’s new commerce coverage and see if any alternatives may come up for the nation. In a press release, the Ministry of Commerce stated that it’s fastidiously analyzing the implications of the varied measures and bulletins made by the US administration.
The MEA spokesperson’s response on Wednesday got here hours after Trump’s sweeping tariffs towards round fifty international locations, together with India, got here into power.
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The tariffs, introduced by Trump as a part of a wider coverage shift, have stirred fears of a worldwide recession as a number of international locations—India included—have been swept into the widening commerce battle.
‘We’re very open, they have been very constructive’
Earlier within the day, within the first detailed response to the US coverage on tariff, Jaishankar stated India is maybe the one nation to achieve an understanding with Washington to seal a commerce deal after Trump assumed the presidency for the second time.
The minister, nonetheless, stated that New Delhi’s technique to cope with the state of affairs is to agency up a bilateral commerce pact with Washington by the autumn of this yr.
“We determined that we’ll have interaction the Trump administration early on this set of points and we have been very open with them, very constructive with them as they have been with us, and what we agreed to do was to attempt to negotiate a bilateral commerce settlement by fall of this yr,” Jaishankar informed Zakka Jacob on the Information 18 Rising Bharat Summit.
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Not in “undue haste”
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal additionally signalled that New Delhi is unlikely to reply with retaliatory tariffs of its personal, preferring as a substitute to prioritise strategic commerce cooperation. He urged exporters to not panic, assuring them that India is engaged on the “correct mix and proper steadiness” in its proposed commerce settlement with the US.
Talking throughout a gathering with export promotion councils and business our bodies, Goyal stated the Indian workforce is transferring with “velocity” however not in “undue haste” to make sure a beneficial consequence for the nation.
In accordance with an official assertion, Goyal knowledgeable exporters that discussions with the US are centered on securing a “mutually helpful multi-sectoral BTA.” He added that “the nation is working in a proactive method and exploring options that are in the most effective curiosity of the nation.”
Commenting on India’s strategic method, he stated, “there’s a potential for improve in manufacturing, creation of further jobs as a result of it may entice huge gamers in world provide chain as India has been capable of set up itself as a trusted and dependable accomplice and with a predictable enterprise pleasant vacation spot.”
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The Trump administration’s tariffs, which now embody sweeping will increase on Chinese language, European and Indian imports, have shaken markets and drawn worldwide criticism. China, specifically, has responded forcefully, with 84% tariffs on US items and sanctions on American companies. The EU has additionally begun concentrating on US merchandise with retaliatory measures of its personal.
India, nonetheless, seems to be charting a extra pragmatic path, with New Delhi betting that nearer ties with Washington—particularly in commerce and defence—will yield long-term advantages amid an more and more fractured world financial system.