US President Donald Trump is committed to enhancing relations with India, despite ongoing disagreements over trade tariffs and oil imports from Russia. The White House emphasized the importance of the India-US partnership during a press briefing on Tuesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The President is positive and feels very strongly about the India-US relationship." She noted that Trump recently spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Diwali celebration at the White House, attended by prominent Indian-American officials.

Leavitt highlighted that the US has a capable Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, and confirmed that Trump's trade team is engaged in serious discussions with New Delhi. She remarked, "I know the President has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and they speak pretty frequently."

Trump's comments come in the context of his administration's efforts to economically isolate Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. He has claimed that India is reducing its purchase of Russian oil, describing New Delhi as “very good” on this issue during his recent Asia tour. Since mid-October, Trump has asserted that Modi assured him India would limit or cease crude imports from Moscow.

In response to Trump's remarks, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the country's energy sourcing decisions are based on national interests and consumer welfare. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective."

Jaiswal further explained that India aims to ensure stable prices and secure supplies through diversified sourcing. He noted that India has been expanding its energy procurement from the US over the past decade, and discussions to deepen energy cooperation are ongoing.

Tensions between India and the US have increased following the imposition of high trade tariffs by Washington in August. The US levied tariffs of 50 percent, including 25 percent secondary duties, in response to India's continued oil trade with Russia. India criticized these tariffs as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," while Trump described US-India trade relations as a "totally one-sided disaster."