Trump said Modi and Indian officials “know I am not happy” and are trying to satisfy the US. He added, “They trade with us, and we can impose tariffs very fast if needed.” The warning comes amid rising scrutiny in Washington of India’s energy trade with Russia, weeks after Modi and Trump spoke over the phone. The leaders had stressed maintaining momentum in bilateral trade despite tariff-related tensions.

Earlier, trade talks between US and Indian officials faced disruptions after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on certain Indian imports. The Air Force One remarks coincide with efforts to resolve these longstanding trade issues. Recently, the US Embassy in India highlighted Trump’s appreciation for Modi, calling India “a wonderful country” and Modi “a great friend.”

The post Trump Praises Modi, Warns of Tariff appeared first on India Podcast.

The meeting, chaired by Department of Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju, aims to examine how external trade pressures are affecting MSMEs and ensure that sufficient credit continues under government schemes such as MUDRA and credit guarantee programs.

MSMEs in the engineering sector recently met RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra to seek support in reducing borrowing costs and improving access to finance. According to EEPC India Chairman Pankaj Chadha, India’s engineering exports to the US average $20 billion, nearly 45% of total exports exposed to US tariffs, highlighting the sector’s vulnerability.

Chadha added that MSMEs struggle to obtain collateral-free loans, as banks demand high security and apply unfavorable credit ratings. He urged rating agencies to exclude US exposure from credit calculations this year to ease financial stress on exporters.

The post Finance Ministry to Review MSME Impact from US Tariff Hike appeared first on India Podcast.

India is also seeking the removal of the additional 25 per cent tariff on Russian oil, stressing that the country should not be singled out. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised concerns over “double standards” in access to energy and food supplies during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York, emphasizing sustained engagement on trade and priority areas. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also participated in the discussions, which focused on trade, tariffs, and broader bilateral issues.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry described the meetings as constructive. Rubio indicated the Trump administration may reconsider the additional Russian oil tariffs on India. MEA officials reiterated that India’s stance remains firm on energy purchases and fairness, highlighting statements urging European nations to curb Russian oil imports without imposing double standards.

The post India Pushes for Lower Tariffs in US Talks appeared first on India Podcast.

Rutte explained that India’s 50 per cent tariffs from the US prompted Modi to seek details about Russia’s approach in the ongoing conflict. Trump had earlier imposed a 25 per cent tariff, raising the total to 50 per cent on Indian imports.

Trump said the tariffs created a rift with India and admitted that imposing them was difficult. He criticized NATO allies for purchasing Russian oil and warned that China could face 50-100 per cent tariffs if it continued buying from Moscow.

The US President highlighted China’s influence over Russia, claiming major sanctions could weaken that grip. He said coordinated NATO action and tariff policies could help end the Russia-Ukraine war faster. Trump emphasized his readiness to act once NATO members agreed to halt Russian oil purchases.

The post US Tariffs on India Impact Russia: NATO appeared first on India Podcast.

India supplies approximately 45% of generic drugs and 15% of biosimilars used in the US. In FY-24, India exported $8.7 billion worth of pharmaceutical products to the US, out of a total $27.9 billion in global pharma exports. For many Indian pharma companies, the US accounts for 30-50% of their revenue, making them highly vulnerable to this new policy.

The tariff could lead to increased costs, reduced competitiveness, and disrupted supply chains, forcing Indian companies to reconsider strategies, including setting up manufacturing units in the US or exploring alternative markets. Industry analysts view this as a major turning point in India-US pharma trade relations.

The post Trump’s 100% Pharma Tariff: A Severe Blow to India appeared first on India Podcast.

Bolton explained that during Trump’s tenure, Washington was focused on two sensitive issues: tariff disputes and Trump’s claim of easing tensions between India and Pakistan after a terrorist attack in Kashmir. He added that open confrontations would have only complicated matters. Instead, India relied on back-channel diplomacy, which, in Bolton’s view, kept negotiations on track.

The former NSA also advised India to gradually reduce military and economic ties with Russia, noting Moscow’s growing alignment with Beijing. He cautioned that photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un sent mixed signals to Washington. Bolton urged India to prioritize long-term strategic interests.

On trade, Bolton noted that both India and the US had nearly reached an agreement before Trump suddenly raised tariffs by 25 percent. He criticized Trump’s unpredictable style, arguing it weakened America’s global credibility. Despite tensions, Trump later praised Modi as a “friend” and expressed optimism about resolving trade barriers.

The post John Bolton on India’s Silent Approach to Trump Tariffs appeared first on India Podcast.

In a recent interview, Bolton explained that strategic meetings meant to cover global security concerns—such as the rise of China—were often sidetracked when Navarro shifted the focus to trade disputes. According to Bolton, Navarro pressed Trump to confront Modi over tariff and market access issues, portraying India as an unfair trading partner.

Bolton described Navarro as argumentative by nature, joking that if Navarro were left alone in a room, “he would start a fight with himself.” He said India should not take Navarro’s words too seriously, stressing that his interventions were more of a political sideshow than official U.S. policy.

Navarro, however, has consistently been vocal in his criticism of India’s economic policies. He has targeted New Delhi for purchasing discounted Russian crude oil, accusing it of indirectly supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine. His tough statements—both in official meetings and on social media—often complicated India-U.S. negotiations at a time when Washington was seeking to deepen strategic ties with New Delhi.

Bolton urged Indian policymakers to look beyond Navarro’s combative rhetoric and focus instead on the broader U.S.–India relationship. He acknowledged that differences on trade would take time to resolve but emphasized that both countries had incentives to reach common ground.

The revelation sheds light on the internal divisions within the Trump administration over how to handle India. While Trump publicly praised Modi on several occasions, aides like Navarro pushed for a harder economic line, sometimes clashing with national security officials who prioritized strategic cooperation.

The post John Bolton: Navarro Tried to Trigger Trump–Modi Trade Fight appeared first on India Podcast.