Washington, Feb. 13 (EFE). – United States President Donald Trump announced Thursday during a White House meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Asian country will buy more oil and gas from the US to reduce the trade imbalance.
“We have more oil and gas than any other country in the world by far. They need it, and we have it,” Trump said sitting next to Modi at a press conference at the start of the meeting.
The US is India’s largest trading partner, but it has a 50 billion dollar deficit in favor of New Delhi, mainly due to Indian exports of engineering products, electronics, jewelry, and pharmaceuticals.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi (not pictured), in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, Feb. 13, 2025. EFE/EPA/FRANCIS CHUNG / POOL
Modi, meanwhile, used his opening remarks to congratulate Trump on his November election victory.
“I’m thrilled to see you back in the White House and I congratulate you on behalf of India’s 140 crore people,” the Indian PM said.
“From my past experience working with you during your first term, I can confidently say we will continue to strengthen the India-US strategic partnership with the same trust, bond, and enthusiasm,” he added.
In a calculated political gesture, Modi avoided referring to sensitive bilateral issues such as trade, defense, migration, or competition with China, preferring to focus on his personal relationship with Trump.
He recalled the “Namaste Trump” event that marked the US president’s visit to India in February 2020, during his first term (2017-2021), with a massive rally at a stadium in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) in front of more than 100,000 people.
This visit was a response to the “Howdy Modi” held in Houston (Texas) in September 2019 in honor of the Indian leader.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a press conference with US President Donald Trump (not pictured), in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, Feb. 13, 2025. EFE/EPA/FRANCIS CHUNG / POOL
Trump, visibly pleased, repeatedly referred to Modi as “his friend.”
“We’re friends and we’re going to stay that way,” he said, standing next to the Indian PM in the Oval Office.
Elon Musk, who has become one of Trump’s closest advisers, and who met with Modi ahead met before the meeting with the US president, was also present in the Oval Office.
Despite the kind words, just hours before the meeting, Trump signed a memorandum to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on countries that tax US goods.
India was one of the countries singled out by the White House because it “charges a 100% tariff on US motorcycles,” while the US only charges 2.4%.”
After Trump took office on Feb. 1, the Indian government proposed a budget that lowered tariffs on products such as motorcycles, cars, and mobile phone accessories.
Before Modi came to Washington, India had already shown a willingness to reduce tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles specifically from 50% to 40%.
In 2023, India eliminated retaliatory tariffs on US exports of almonds, apples, lentils, and walnuts. EFE
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