Daijiworld Media Network - Seoul

Seoul, Oct 29: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he is ready to strike a trade deal with India, expressing admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighting growing economic cooperation between the two nations.

“I am going to do a trade deal with India, and I have great respect for PM Modi,” Trump said while addressing the APEC CEOs luncheon in South Korea. The president reiterated his “great respect” for the Indian leader, calling him a “tough negotiator and a strong leader.”

The statement comes amid ongoing trade talks between New Delhi and Washington that began in February. The discussions focus on reducing America’s trade deficit, securing access to India’s agricultural markets, and addressing India’s purchases of Russian oil.

In August, the US had imposed a 50% tariff on most Indian goods, half of which was linked to India’s continued import of Russian crude. However, officials from both sides have indicated “solid progress” toward an agreement to ease these punitive tariffs.

“Negotiations have been positive, and both sides are narrowing their differences,” an Indian official familiar with the discussions said. Indian delegates reportedly held constructive meetings in Washington earlier this month.

Trump also defended his administration’s trade and foreign policy record, saying, “We stopped a lot of wars, made our country strong, and around the world, we are signing one trade deal after another.”

The talks have faced complications due to Trump’s earlier remarks suggesting that tariff threats had helped ease tensions between India and Pakistan. New Delhi has firmly denied any external mediation in the ceasefire process following Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack.