In a press conference held on Monday, June 30, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised India as a very important and strategic ally for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. She said that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a strong personal relationship, and this bond will continue to grow.

While responding to a question from ANI about China’s growing role in the region, Ms Leavitt said, “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific, and the president has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that.”

She also spoke about the strong partnership between the U.S. and India in terms of trade, diplomacy, and security. Her comments come at a time when both countries are trying to finalise a major trade agreement.

Trade deal talks at final stage

Ms Leavitt also answered another ANI question regarding a possible trade agreement between the two countries. She confirmed that the deal is at its final stage.

“Yes, the president said that last week [that the US and India are very close to a trade deal], and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the president. They are finalising these agreements, and you’ll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India,” she said.

Her remarks follow President Trump’s earlier statement, where he expressed hope of reaching a trade deal with India. The U.S. wants India to remove all trade barriers and allow American businesses more access to the Indian market.

“India, I think we are going to reach a deal where we have the right to go and do trade. Right now, it’s restricted. You can’t walk in there; you can’t even think about it. We are looking to get a full trade barrier dropping, which is unthinkable, and I am not sure that that is going to happen. But as of this moment, we agree that going to India and trade...” President Trump had said.

Currently, both sides are working to finish the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) before the July 9 deadline. This deadline marks the end of the 90-day pause on tariff increases between the two countries.

Jaishankar attends QUAD meeting in the US

At the same time, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is visiting the United States to take part in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. On Monday, he also inaugurated a special exhibition at the United Nations. The exhibition is titled “The Human Cost of Terrorism” and focuses on the effects of state-sponsored terrorism.

The QUAD is a group formed by four countries—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. It works to support peace, development, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The group was first created after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami for joint humanitarian efforts.

Earlier this month, on June 18, it was confirmed that President Donald Trump had accepted PM Modi’s invitation to visit India for the next QUAD Summit, which will take place in New Delhi later this year.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared the details of the conversation between the two leaders. It took place on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada.

“For the next meeting of QUAD, PM Modi invited President Trump to India. While accepting the invitation, President Trump said that he is excited to come to India,” Mr Misri said in a video message.

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