GG News Bureau
Washington, 25th Sept: A senior US State Department official has affirmed that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a “very, very positive” relationship and are expected to meet soon, with India preparing to host the next Quad Summit either later this year or in early 2026.
The official, speaking to PTI, said planning is underway for the leaders of the US, Australia, Japan and India to gather in India for the high-level Indo-Pacific dialogue. The 2024 Quad meeting was held in Wilmington, Delaware. “I’m sure you’ll see the two (Trump and Modi) meet,” the official noted, while describing ongoing US-India engagements as “incredibly productive”.
Trade and Energy Differences
While praising the partnership, the official acknowledged “a bit of turbulence”, pointing to disagreements over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The Trump administration has imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods for this reason, taking total US levies to 50 per cent—among the highest worldwide. A bipartisan US Senate bill proposing a 500 per cent tariff on Russian-oil buyers underscores Washington’s pressure campaign.
The matter was “absolutely discussed” during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly this week, the official confirmed. “The President wants to end the war in Ukraine and cut off revenue to Putin,” the official said.
Iran and Visa Policies
The US is also revoking exemptions that had allowed India to use Iran’s Chabahar Port for Afghanistan aid projects, as part of a renewed “maximum pressure” policy on Tehran. “Any revenue that would go to the IRGC will now be targeted,” the official stated.
On immigration, Washington recently announced a USD 100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applicants. The official clarified that current H-1B holders are unaffected and said the fee is aimed at curbing fraud.
Diplomatic Signals
Trump’s recent birthday call to Modi was described as “incredibly positive”. The White House has nominated Sergio Gor, a close presidential aide, as Ambassador to India, underscoring what the official called “the importance the President puts on this relationship.”
Despite trade frictions, the official reiterated that India remains a “critical partner” in the Indo-Pacific strategy. “Step back from this brief moment and look at the relationship—it is really on a positive trajectory and it’s only expanding,” the official asserted.
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