The US Finance Minister Scott Bessent on Wednesday reiterated India’s criticism of President Donald Trump over India’s increased oil purchases from Russia. He said that India is doing ‘profiteering’, concessional crude oil purchases from Russia. However, Besant also expressed an optimistic stand on bilateral trade relations.
Expected to resolve issues with India
Besant said that India is confident that in the end there will be an agreement between the two countries. Besant also hoped that India and America would finally agree by resolving all issues. In an interview to Fox Business, Besant said, “Finally I think we will come with India and move forward together.”
He also added, ‘There is a very good relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. India is the largest democracy in the world and America is the largest economy in the world.
A statement between 50% tariff
Besant’s statement towards the US came at a time when the Trump administration has implemented a huge tariff of up to 50 per cent on most of the goods coming from India. This has deepened commercial tension between the two countries.
Nevertheless, officials say the conversation continues and the two sides are looking for a structure to balance between business concerns and comprehensive strategic partnership.
Trump is trying to talk to Modi?
A report by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeeitung claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not respond to at least four phone calls of US President Donald Trump amidst the trade tariff controversy. This shows their displeasure.
Nikkei Asia of Japan also recently said that Modi avoided Trump’s calls, which has increased Trump’s resentment. At the same time, talking to the Times of India, an American diplomat said that PM Modi does not like to have a fine interaction on the phone, but denied confirmation of the German report. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar had already told that there was no conversation between Modi and Trump between April 22 and June 17.