Washington: India did certain things, like buying military gear from Russia and aligning with BRICS which seeks to reduce dollar dependence, that “rubbed the US the wrong way”, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said, stressing that President Donald Trump deeply admires India and the two countries are going to have a “great relationship together.”
“The Indian economy is extraordinary, your human capital capacity is amazing, your growth rate is amazing. But, you know, there were certain things that the Indian government did that generally rubbed the United States the wrong way,” Lutnick said in his keynote address at the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit here Monday.
“For instance, you generally buy your military gear from Russia. That’s a way to kind of get under the skin of America if you’re going to buy your armaments from Russia,” Lutnick said. “I think India’s starting to move towards buying military equipment from the United States, which then goes a long way. And these kinds of things just create that relationship being a part of BRICS, which is, oh, let’s move to not support the dollar and dollar hegemony.”
Firmly stating, “That’s not really the way to make friends and influence people in America,” he noted that Trump personally calls out such developments. Lutnick then revealed that the Indian government had ultimately resorted to specifically addressing the issue, clearing up the room to chalk up a positive connection with America.
“Put it on the table, address it straight on, resolve it straight on, and get to a good place. And I think that’s where we are,” he continued.
During his keynote address, Howard Lutnick went as far as breaking down the US president’s “America First” ideology, saying that while he does put his country first, “he does not think American only or America exclusively.” Further explaining the matter, the commerce secretary said that while Trump has got “to take care of home,” he’s also “going to take care of his allies. He’s going to make sure he takes care of India.” Reiterating the great relationship between the nations, the American official made it a point to highlight that the Republican leader “deeply admires and respects” the South Asian country.
“Secretary Lutnick will share his insights on strengthening the U.S.-India strategic and economic partnership to achieve the goal set by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi for $500 billion in bilateral trade,” the summit highlighted in a statement ahead of the Monday event. He eventually took to his X profile to share the word about attending the annual leadership summit. “We have a great relationship between our countries. I’m optimistic for a trade deal soon that will benefit both nations,” Lutnick tweeted online.
In addition to Lutnick’s presence in Washington, the 8th edition of the US-Indian Strategic Partnership Forum also counted Second Lady Usha Vance, John Chambers, chairman of USISPF, Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and Congressman and co-chair of the India Caucus Rich McCormick, among others in attendance.
