The US official Tommy Pigott said that US is engaging with India in "full and frank dialogue".
- India is a strategic partner with whom the US engages in full and frank dialogue
- US dialogue with India will continue despite tensions over tariff disputes
- President Trump has expressed concerns about India's trade imbalance and Russian oil purchases
The US statement department on Thursday stated that "India is a strategic partner" and that the US is engaging with India in "full and frank dialogue" even as relations between the two countries continue to witness tension amid the tariff dispute.
On being asked whether China and other BRICS nations are trying to take the lead in organising a pushback against US trade measures, the US State Department said the dialogue with India "will continue".
Responding to reporters during a press briefing, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, Tommy Pigott, said, "What I can say in terms of India is, the President has been very clear in terms of the concerns he has regarding the trade imbalance, regarding the concerns he has when it comes to the purchase of Russian oil. You have seen him take action directly on that... India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in a full and frank dialogue. That will continue".
When asked if there were concerns in Washington about "worsening ties" with India and the possibility of New Delhi "moving closer" to China, Mr Pigott stressed the importance of addressing differences through direct engagement.
"This is about an honest, full and frank dialogue about real concerns that this administration has, that the President has outlined very clearly. Addressing those concerns through his actions, he's spoken about them, whether it's about the purchase of Russian oil or about the trade imbalance. Addressing those concerns is important. The President has been very clear. Ultimately, this is about a frank and full dialogue. That's what it means to advance American interests, that's what it means to have full diplomatic dialogue with partners to address concerns that we need to see addressed."
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said there will be no trade negotiations with India until a dispute over tariffs is resolved, following his administration's decision to double tariffs on Indian imports.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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