New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) With Republican leader Donald Trump set to return to the White House after his win in the US presidential election, India on Thursday said that as a fellow democracy it celebrates the peoples' mandate and looks forward to working with the Trump administration to strengthen the bilateral ties.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the media briefing here, said the India-US partnership is a very special and multifaceted one. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Donald Trump on Wednesday and also posted on X to congratulate him.
During the Wednesday night call, PM Modi had warmly congratulated Trump on his re-election as the President of the US as well as Republican Party’s success in the Congressional elections.
PM Modi had highlighted that his spectacular and resounding victory reflected the deep trust of the American people in his leadership and vision.
Reflecting on the positive momentum of the India-U.S. partnership during President Trump’s first term, PM recalled their memorable interactions, including the Howdy Modi event in Houston in September 2019 and the Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad during President Trump’s visit to India in February 2020, a statement said.
Both leaders had reiterated the importance of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, for the benefit of the people of the two countries as well as for global peace and stability.
They reaffirmed their commitment to working together to further strengthen bilateral ties across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors, the statement said.
Asked what the trade outlook would be in the second Trump administration, in the wake of Trump threatening to impose a reciprocal tax on India if re-elected, citing high tariffs imposed by India on American goods, the spokesperson said that India-US economic relations are wide-ranging and in 2023 the bilateral trade stood at USD 190 billion, in goods and services. In 2023, the US was India’s second largest trading partner. “Both sides have lots of issues to talk about,” he said.
‘We will want good discussion on all issues and strengthening of ties,” he added.
On illegal Indian immigrants being sent back by the US, the spokesperson said that India’s policy is not to increase illegal immigration. “Our policy is not to promote illegal immigration. People should migrate legally. India is being looked at as a skill capital, and at this time we want that newer pathways are opened for our people.”
He said that some people were brought back from the US as they did not have proper documents. He said that India has “continuous dialogue with the US and we want to see how best to encourage legal migration.”
UNI RN