Trump admin calls India ‘strategic ally’ even as trade negotiators race against tariff deadline

The White House has called India a “very strategic ally” in the Indo-Pacific at a time when ties with China remain tense. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday (US local time), Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that.”She was replying to a question from ANI about how the US views China’s push in the region. Her words come as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visits New York for the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. On Monday, Jaishankar also opened an exhibition at the UN called The Human Cost of Terrorism. It highlights the burden of state-sponsored terror.White House says trade deal almost readyTrade is the next pillar on which this partnership stands. Leavitt made clear that a long-awaited deal is nearly done. In her words, “Yes, the President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you'll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India.”President Trump himself sounded upbeat. Speaking earlier, he said, “India, I think we are going to reach a deal where we have the right to go and do trade. Right now, it's restricted. You can't walk in there, you can't even think about it. We are looking to get a full trade barrier dropping, which is unthinkable and I am not sure that that is going to happen. But as of this moment, we agree that going to India and trade...”He also told supporters, “Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'Do you really have anybody of any interest?' Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We have one coming up, maybe with India. A very big one, where we're going to open up India."Fresh talks race against Trump's tariff clockThe clock is ticking. On 26 June, a fresh round of talks began in Washington. India’s chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal is leading the team. The goal is to wrap up an early harvest deal before the US enforces new reciprocal tariffs on 57 countries, India included, from 9 July.Behind closed doors, negotiators say most of the paperwork is nearly ironed out. But final green lights now rest with the top leadership to sort remaining gaps.India pushes back on tariffsNew duties have been a sticking point. India wants the US to remove planned and current retaliatory tariffs—like the extra 16% duty due from 9 July on top of a 10% tariff imposed in April.New Delhi is also urging Washington to scrap safeguard tariffs on steel, aluminium, cars, and car parts. In return, India expects the US to trim its most favoured nation (MFN) tariffs too.US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sounded upbeat at a recent forum: “I think we are in a very, very good place, and you should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not-too-distant future because I think we found a place that really works for both countries.”Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also struck a positive tone. On 10 June, he said, “PM Narendra Modi and US President Trump met in February 2025... Both our leaders have decided to enter into a bilateral trade agreement which will be mutually beneficial for both the economies, businesses on both sides, and the people of both countries. We are negotiating to make a nice, fair, equitable, and balanced agreement to promote business.”However, both sides still grapple with thorny points. Reports say the US wants India to slash import duties on American farm and dairy goods, and open its market to genetically modified crops. India has concerns here. Domestic food security and local farmers’ interests weigh heavy.Trump to land in Delhi for next QUAD meetA big moment awaits later this year. On June 18, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the next QUAD Summit in New Delhi. “For the next meeting of QUAD, PM Modi invited President Trump to India. While accepting the invitation, President Trump said that he is excited to come to India,” Misri said in a video message.The QUAD—comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia—was born from the humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Today, it aims to keep the Indo-Pacific region free, stable and open for all.As the next QUAD Summit draws closer, India’s role as a steady partner looks firmly set. Final signatures on the trade deal remain to be seen. But both capitals sound ready to move ahead. And for now, the Indo-Pacific remains at the core of this strategic embrace.(With inputs from ANI)