POTUS pressures G7 to impose high tariffs on India, China says report

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – The finance ministers of the G7 leading economies on Friday set to discuss a US proposal for new measures as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to broker a peace deal in Ukraine, media reported.

US President Donald Trump has put pressure on G7 member nations to impose higher tariffs on India and China, the two largest buyers of Russian oil, according to a report.

The move will be an attempt to compel Moscow to engage in peace talks with Ukraine.

European Union has been asked by Trump to impose a 100 per cent tariff on India and China for their continued purchase of crude oil from Russia.

“Chinese and Indian purchases of Russian oil are funding Putin’s war machine and prolonging the senseless killing of the Ukrainian people. Earlier this week, we made it clear to our EU allies that if they are serious about ending the war in their own backyard, they need to join us and impose meaningful tariffs that will be rescinded the day the war ends,” the report said.

India and China have shared the diplomatic stage at the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit with signals of a closer relationship among its members at a time when the world has been roiled by US trade policies and tariffs.

The two-day event attended by over 20 leaders of non Western countries was seen as showcased Beijing’s ambition for a new global security and economic order that poses a challenge to the US.

Trump hinted at softening relations with India in a social media post.

“I am pleased to announce that India and the United States of America are continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers between our two nations. I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our great countries!” he said.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had said the first tranche of the India–US trade agreement is expected to be finalized by November 2025, marked a significant step in easing tensions between the two countries over tariffs and trade barriers.

“In February 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump instructed that ministers of both sides should make a good agreement by November 2025. The first part of that agreement, the first tranche, should be finalised by November 2025. Since March, discussions have been going on in a very good environment, and both sides are satisfied with the progress,” the minister said.

Sec of State Rubio says India “one of the top relationships that US has in the world today”

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday hailed India as “one of the top relationships that the US has in the world today” during the Senate confirmation hearing for Sergio Gor, US President Donald Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to India.

Rubio appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to introduce Gor, underscored the pivotal role of India in shaping the global future, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting that India was at the “core of that”.

“Sergio Gor is the nominee to India (as US Ambassador), which is one of the top relationships that the US has in the world today, in terms of the future of what the world’s going to look like. I said it earlier when I held the position as a nominee. In the 21st century, the story is going to be written in the Indo-Pacific. It’s so important that we have changed the name of the combatant command in the Indo-Pacific. India is at the core of that, Rubio stated.

He noted an ongoing “extraordinary transition” in India-US ties, pointing to critical issues like the Ukraine conflict and regional security challenges that require close collaboration.

“We are in a period of extraordinary transition in that relationship with India; we have some really important issues coming up that we need to work with them on and work through. That implicates what’s happening with Ukraine and also in the region,” he added.

He praised Gor’s qualifications, Rubio noted his long-standing acquaintance with the 38-year-old nominee and his unparalleled access to the President, underscored that these qualities will help “get things done” between both nations.“When you interact with these countries, having a representative in a place like India that has direct access to the Oval Office and to the President and who they know can get things done, both in the administration and through the Oval Office, is critically important. And I don’t know anyone better in the position to do that than Sergio Gor,” he said.

Gor, the Director of Presidential Personnel in the White House, was nominated by Trump to fill the vacancy left by former Ambassador Eric Garcetti in January.

If confirmed, the young Trump confidant would become the youngest US Ambassador to India.

Gor, during his hearing, also noted India was a “strategic partner” called New Delhi as a key component of regional peace, prosperity, and the advancement both nation’s shared security objectives.

“India is a strategic partner whose trajectory will shape the region and beyond… India’s geographic position, economic growth, and military capabilities make it a cornerstone of regional stability and a critical part of promoting prosperity and advancing the security interests that our nations share. India is one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world,” he stated.