India’s foreign ministry has addressed a viral video featuring remarks by US President Donald Trump about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while also clarifying aspects of bilateral relations with Russia and recent developments in trade negotiations with the United States. The statements highlight ongoing diplomatic engagements amid global trade tensions and geopolitical shifts.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs indicated it would examine a resurfaced video in which US President Donald Trump appeared to comment on not wanting to impact the political career of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a regular press briefing in New Delhi, the capital of India, noted that he had not personally viewed the video in question. Jaiswal emphasized that if the video’s existence is confirmed, regardless of its authenticity, the Indian government would pursue suitable measures.
The video, which gained attention on social media platforms, stems from a press conference held by Trump alongside the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C. In the clip, as reported by news agency Press Trust of India, Trump praised Modi, describing him as a great leader and stating that Modi holds affection for him. Trump quickly clarified his use of the term “love,” adding that he did not intend for the word to be misconstrued in a way that could harm Modi’s standing in politics. Trump further remarked on his long-standing observation of India and mentioned a friend who has resided there for an extended period. The original event occurred in October 2025, but the footage recirculated recently amid discussions on US-India relations.
In the same briefing, Jaiswal addressed inquiries related to India’s ties with Russia, a key strategic partner in areas such as defense and energy. As per statements from the Associated Press, he affirmed that India and Russia maintain active cooperation across multiple sectors, including commerce, cultural exchanges, and military collaboration. These relations, rooted in a partnership dating back to the Cold War era, are expected to expand further, despite international pressures from Western sanctions on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. India, the world’s most populous nation and a major emerging economy, has balanced its foreign policy by continuing economic engagements with Russia while strengthening alliances with the United States and other Western countries.
Separately, Jaiswal provided clarification on recent adjustments to a US government document concerning a proposed interim trade pact between India and the United States. According to Reuters reports, the White House had issued a factsheet outlining the framework for this agreement, which was subsequently revised to align more closely with mutual agreements. The joint statement, released on February 7, 2026, serves as the foundational document for the deal, which aims to foster reciprocal trade benefits.
The amendments to the US factsheet, as explained by Jaiswal and corroborated by official releases from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, reflect shared understandings between the two nations. Initially, the document included references to India committing to purchase over $500 billion in US goods, including energy and technology products, over a specified timeframe, and mentioned tariff reductions on certain agricultural items like pulses. These were later modified to indicate India’s intention to increase such imports and removed specific mentions of pulses, addressing sensitivities in India’s agricultural sector, which supports millions of farmers in the South Asian country.
The interim agreement is part of broader negotiations for a comprehensive bilateral trade deal, initiated by Trump and Modi in 2025. It includes provisions for India to lower or eliminate tariffs on various US industrial and agricultural products, such as dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fruits, soybean oil, wines, and spirits. In return, the US plans to apply a reciprocal tariff rate of 18% on select Indian goods, including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, plastics, rubber, organic chemicals, home decor, artisanal items, and machinery, while potentially removing tariffs on others like generic pharmaceuticals, gems, diamonds, and aircraft parts, subject to finalization.
Both sides are now focused on implementing the framework and concluding the interim pact, which could enhance economic ties between the world’s largest democracy and its leading economy. This development occurs against the backdrop of global trade realignments, with the US seeking to address trade deficits and India aiming to boost exports and attract investments.
The Chenab Times News Desk