Trade deal will pave way for stronger ties: Amit Shah

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump announced the India-US trade deal under which Washington will bring down the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the current 25 per cent, senior Cabinet ministers welcomed it. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the deal will elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries, paving the way for stronger trade ties and mutual growth.

In a social media post late Monday, Shah said the deal will greatly benefit both nations and their people, with business between India and the US set to flourish further.

“A big day for India-US relations as the trade deal has been locked with a significantly reduced tariff of 18 per cent, paving the way for stronger trade ties and mutual growth,” he said.

Congratulating Prime Minister Modi and President Donald Trump for the “historic deal”, Shah said it will “elevate our strategic partnership and greatly benefit both nations and their people. Business between India and the US set to flourish further.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the deal will significantly strengthen India-US strategic partnership and deliver tangible benefits to both countries and their people. He added that with this agreement, India-US economic ties are set to reach new heights. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hailed the agreement, saying it will spur growth in both economies and strengthen the country’s ‘Make in India’ endeavours.

Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to the US to attend a Washington-led ministerial meeting on the critical minerals supply chain, said he “welcomed the announcements on bilateral trade”.

In a social media post, Jaishankar said, “This will create more jobs, spur growth and promote innovation in both economies. It will strengthen ‘Make in India’ endeavours and encourage trusted technology ties. The opportunities in our economic engagement are truly vast and we are confident of realising them.”

A robust economic relationship is the strongest foundation for our strategic partnership,” the external affairs minister added.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari called the India-US trade deal a defining step forward in bilateral economic relations.

In a social media post, Gadkari said the reduction of tariffs to 18 per cent on Made in India products will open new avenues for growth and cooperation between the two countries.

He added that the deal will strengthen trust, boost business confidence, and set the stage for deeper trade, investment, and shared prosperity for both nations. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw termed it a win-win deal.

In a social media post, Vaishnaw said, together, India and the US have huge potential to work for peace and development.

He further said that the US and India have complementary strengths and can co-create technologies and co-develop solutions that will benefit the world.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said India and the US are the world’s truest democracies and natural partners with shared values and global responsibility.

He said that together, they have the potential to advance peace, development, and innovation. Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the clouds of uncertainty regarding trade between India and the US have cleared after the talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump.

He said that the announcement of the India-US trade agreement will boost manufacturing activities in the country. He noted that various textile exporters and associations have welcomed this agreement, and all are very excited.

BJP National President Nitin Nabin welcomed the India-US trade agreement, saying it would provide new momentum to the Indian economy and give new impetus to the country’s goal of attaining a developed status.

Nabin said in a social media message, “This new progress in India-US relations is commendable. The strengthening of relations between India and the United States, two of the world’s most powerful democracies, will have a very positive and far-reaching impact.”

“This decision will provide new momentum to the progress of the Indian economy. It will also give new energy to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives,” he said.

“Congratulations to the prime minister. Under his able leadership, new opportunities are opening up for the youth of India,” the BJP chief added.