US-India Tensions: Treasury Secretary Hopeful for Resolution

New York/Washington, Sep 2 (PTI) — Amidst growing tensions between India and the United States, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed optimism, saying, "at the end of the day, the two great countries will get this solved." He emphasized that India's values align more closely with those of the US and China rather than Russia. Bessent shared these views during an interview with Fox News.

Bessent also described the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as "largely performative," following the annual summit held recently in the Chinese port city of Tianjin. "This is a longstanding meeting called the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and I think it's largely performative," Bessent remarked.

The Treasury Secretary acknowledged India's stature as the world's most populous democracy, adding, "Their values are much closer to ours and to China's than to Russia's." Despite the tensions, Bessent remains hopeful, stating, "two great countries (India and the US) will get this solved." However, he expressed concerns over India's purchasing of Russian oil and resale, suggesting it has been aiding Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

India, for its part, has defended its procurement of Russian crude oil, stating that its energy choices are guided by national interest and market dynamics. Bessent pointed out the slow progress in US-India trade negotiations as another reason for the White House's decision to raise tariffs, as reported by Fox News.

Bessent's comments addressed the condition of US-India relations amid the Trump administration's decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on India due to its Russian oil purchases. India has labeled these tariffs as "unjustified and unreasonable."

The Treasury Secretary was also responding to inquiries about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the edges of the SCO summit in Tianjin. His remarks are set against perhaps the most strained period in India-US relations in over twenty years, heightened by Trump's tariff actions and ongoing criticism from his administration.

Bessent further mentioned that "all options are on the table" as the Trump administration considers sanctions against Russia in response to its relentless offensive against Ukraine. He stated, "I think everything's on the table," highlighting President Putin's failure to act favorably following diplomatic engagements, leading to intensified military actions. "With President Trump, all options are on the table, and we'll be examining those very closely this week," Bessent concluded.

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