Amidst Indo-American Tariff War, Minister Jaishankar Holds Key Call!

It is already known that the Donald Trump administration in the United States has started to impose heavy tariffs on global nations, including India. This has resulted in a global market meltdown. Under this context, external affairs minister Jaishankar has interacted with the United States and here is a transcript of the same.

On April 7, 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the recent tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian goods and the broader framework of trade relations between the two countries.

The discussion came in the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% blanket tariff on all imports, along with higher country-specific tariffs. Indian exports have been hit with a 26% tariff, raising concerns over trade imbalances. Despite this, Indian officials have clarified that New Delhi has no immediate plans for retaliatory measures.

In this context, Jaishankar tweeted “Good to speak with @SecRubio today. Exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Sub-continent, Europe, Middle East/West Asia and the Caribbean.

Agreed on the importance of the early conclusion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement. Look forward to remaining in touch.” He tweeted.

During the call, both leaders emphasized the need to expedite the ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement. The objective is to build a balanced and mutually beneficial economic relationship.

In addition to trade, Jaishankar and Rubio also briefly touched upon key regional and global issues, reaffirming the strategic depth of the India-U.S. partnership. Their conversation reflects a shared commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic and economic ties, even amidst current tensions.