The Congress on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments calling India and the US 'natural partners'. They questioned whether the relationship is so natural that President Donald Trump has stated on "over 35 different occasions" that he achieved the India-Pakistan "ceasefire" through the use of trade as a tool to exert pressure.
The opposition party's comments came following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's positive response to US President Trump's assessment of trade talks between the two countries, expressing confidence in the potential of the bilateral partnership.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Prime Minister Modi has told President Trump that India and the US are 'natural partners.'" The question is now this: Are they so natural that President Trump has declared on over 35 different occasions that he brought about the India-Pakistan ceasefire on the evening of May 10th using trade as the instrument of leverage?" Signalling a thaw in the bilateral chill between India and the US, President Trump has said he feels certain that there will be "no difficulty" for the two countries to come to a successful conclusion in trade talks, and he looks forward to speaking with his "very good friend Prime Minister Modi in the coming weeks".
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, the US president said he was "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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in ongoing negotiations on X, stated that the discussions are set to unlock the partnership's full potential.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in the ongoing negotiations, highlighting their potential to unlock the partnership's full potential. India and the US are good friends and natural partners, Modi said. He also mentioned that both countries are trying to finish the trade talks as soon as possible.
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He said, "I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people." Trump shared the prime minister's post on his social media platform.
The US President's recent statements indicate a shift in bilateral relations, which had faced their most difficult phase in over two decades due to tensions, including trade disputes and India's purchase of Russian oil. Trump has increased the tariffs on Indian products to 50 pc, which is a big increase, and there's an extra 25 pc tax if India buys crude oil from Russia.
India described the US action as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable." Return only the resultant content, nothing else. Provide the output in English. After months of saying negative things about India, Trump recently said that India and the US have a special relationship and that there's no need to worry. He mentioned that the two countries "just have moments on occasion."
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"I always will. I'll always be friends with Modi, he's a great Prime Minister. He's great. I'll always be friends, but I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment," Trump had said in the Oval Office on Friday.
"But India and the United States have a special relationship. There's nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion," Trump said, with a smile.
Responding to the comments, Modi on Saturday had said that he deeply appreciates Trump's positive assessment of India-US relations.
Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties," Modi said. "India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership," he had said.
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