New Delhi:In a sensational revelation on the eve of the imposition of 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports to the United States effective Wednesday, a German publication ‘FAZ’ on Tuesday reported that US President Donald Trump had attempted to speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi four times in recent weeks but that a furious Modi had refused to take the calls.
Significantly, India has till Tuesday evening not officially denied the German media report.
This came on a day when the US issued a draft notice detailing plans to implement the additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports that will come into effect from August 27. President Trump had earlier announced imposition of tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India, including 25 per cent as a “penalty” for Indian imports of Russian oil. A 25 per cent tariff by the US had already come into effect earlier this month.
India and the US, meanwhile, on Tuesday held a virtual India-US 2+2 (foreign affairs and defence) inter-sessional dialogue and “discussed trade and investment; energy security, including strengthening civil-nuclear cooperation; critical minerals exploration; counternarcotics and counter-terrorism cooperation”. New Delhi said late Tuesday evening that the two nations “also looked forward to increasing defence cooperation, including signing a new ten-year Framework for the India-US Major Defence Partnership”. They also “reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region through the Quad”, New Delhi added.
India had earlier termed the US tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable” and said that, like any major economy, it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. Earlier this month, India had said “it is extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest”.
President Trump had launched a tirade against India in the past few weeks over its tariffs as well as import of Russian oil. The German publication on Tuesday apparently reported that Modi had been angered by President Trump’s actions.
Despite India’s refutation at the highest levels, Trump’s repeated claims that it was his administration which had brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by using trade as a pressure tactic also strained ties.
