White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called India a “key friend” of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, during a press briefing on Monday. She was speaking about the ongoing trade talks between the two countries and said that President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have a strong and friendly relationship. “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that,” says White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt replying to ANI’s question regarding how the US President sees the China’s role and its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
#WATCH | “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that, “says White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt replying to ANI’s question regarding how the US… pic.twitter.com/1YGImYbum1
— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2025
Trade Deal Nearing Completion, Says White House
Leavitt mentioned that the trade deal between the US and India is nearly ready. “Yes, the President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you’ll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India, “says White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in response to the ANI’s question, when asked about the US President’s last week announcement that the trade deal with India is close and this could happen anytime soon.
When asked about China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, Leavitt again highlighted the importance of India, saying, “India is a very important partner for us in the region. The President values his relationship with Prime Minister Modi and that will continue.”
Her comments came while Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was in the US for the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ meeting. The QUAD, made up of India, the US, Japan, and Australia—focuses on keeping the Indo-Pacific free, open, and secure. The group first came together in 2004 to help with relief efforts after the Indian Ocean tsunami and has since grown into a key regional partnership.
Earlier on June 18, it was confirmed that US President Donald Trump has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the upcoming QUAD Summit in New Delhi.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared the update in a video message, saying, “For the next QUAD meeting, Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to visit India. President Trump gladly accepted the invitation and said he is looking forward to the visit.”
India-US Trade Talks: Progress Toward Early Deal
India and the United States started a fresh round of trade talks on June 26, aiming to finalize an early agreement before the US begins imposing new tariffs on imports from 57 countries, including India, starting July 9.
According to various reports, the Indian delegation, led by Chief Negotiator and Special Secretary for Commerce Rajesh Agrawal, traveled to Washington for a two-day meeting. The main focus is to resolve ongoing trade issues and work toward an interim deal that could serve as the foundation for a full Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by September or October 2025.
Once this early deal is in place, both nations are expected to move toward negotiating a complete Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with the goal of doubling their trade to USD 500 billion by 2030.
India has also urged the US to cancel all current and upcoming retaliatory tariffs, including a 26 per cent duty, made up of a 10 per cent charge already in effect since April 5 and an additional 16 per cent set to begin on July 9.
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