The prime minister has said New Delhi and Washington share a strong strategic partnership amid US pressure over trade with Russia

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to US President Donald Trump's recent remarks on India's ties with Russia, calling the US-India relationship "very positive and forward-looking."

Modi's response came hours after Trump said he would "always be friends" with Modi, despite concerns over India's oil purchases from Russia. Trump made the statements hours after he posted on Truth Social that the US seems to have "lost" India and Russia to "deepest, darkest China."

"Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership," Modi said in a social media post on Saturday.

Trump spoke at a news conference at the White House on Friday where he was asked about India's presence at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Asked if the US has "lost" India, Trump said, "I don't think we have," adding: "I've been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil... from Russia. And I let them know that. We put a very big tariff on India - 50%."

Trump went on to say that he remains close to Modi. "I will always be friends with Modi, he is a great prime minister," he said. "I'll always be friends but I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment, but India and the US have a special relationship. There is nothing to worry about."

Trump's comments follow criticism of India by senior US officials, including White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Navarro accused India of "profiteering" from Russian oil and said this has contributed to prolonging the Ukraine conflict. Lutnick warned that if India does not align with the US, "they will have to pay 50% tariffs on exports to the US." Lutnick also said he expects India to return to talks for a trade deal. "They're going to say they're sorry and they're going to try to make a deal with Donald Trump," he stated.

US imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods last month. While a 25% tariff was announced in July as the two nations failed to agree on a trade deal, Trump later imposed an additional 25% due to India's purchases of Russian oil.

(RT.com)