-MEA affirms strong strategic, defence partnership despite tariff tensions

New Delhi, August 14 (HS): Amid recent strains over US tariff hikes, India on Thursday underlined that its relationship with the United States remains firmly anchored in mutual respect, shared interests, and a forward‑looking agenda.

Addressing the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the India‑US bond as “a comprehensive global strategic partnership” founded on common interests, democratic values, and robust people‑to‑people ties. This relationship, he noted, has weathered “many changes and challenges” over the years.

The clarification comes against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s tougher trade stance towards New Delhi, which has added friction to ongoing negotiations on a long‑pending bilateral trade agreement. India has made it clear that its national interests will not be compromised in pursuit of any commercial deal.

Defence Ties: A Key Pillar

On the question of defence cooperation, Jaiswal stressed that India‑US defence partnership rests on foundational agreements and remains “a vital pillar” of bilateral ties. He pointed to expanding collaboration across domains, announcing that a US defence policy team is expected in New Delhi in mid‑August.

The two nations are also set to hold the 21st edition of their joint military drill, ‘Yudh Abhyas’, in Alaska later this month, alongside an executive‑level 2+2 inter‑sessional meeting to review strategic, defence, and security cooperation.

No ‘De‑Dollarisation’ Agenda

Responding to reports of President Trump’s concerns over the so‑called BRICS push against the US dollar, the MEA spokesperson clarified: “A de‑dollarised global economy is not part of India’s financial agenda.”

Rejecting US Human Rights Report

The ministry also dismissed the latest US State Department human rights report on India, calling it “a mix of allegations, misrepresentations, and unilateral assumptions” that reveal “a weak understanding of India’s democratic framework, pluralistic society, and strong institutional mechanisms for human rights protection.”

Jaiswal emphasised that India does not place reliance on such biased assessments, reiterating that the country’s focus is on advancing citizens’ rights through inclusive governance and development.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar