India ‘Forced’ to Enter Talks with U.S. Within Two Months: U.S. Commerce Secretary

Darwin, September 8 — India will be compelled to come to the negotiating table with the United States within the next “one to two months,” stepping back from its firm stance on tariffs and Russian oil purchases, and may also be forced to issue an apology, according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo Howard Lutnick.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Lutnick stated,

“I think within a month or so, India will come to the negotiating table, express regret, and try to strike a deal with Donald Trump.”

Meanwhile, Indian news outlet NDTV reports that India remains resolute in its position. India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has clearly stated that purchasing Russian oil will continue in the country’s national interest.

On Friday, Trump stirred controversy with a social media post saying,

“It looks like we have lost India and Russia to deep, dark China. Hopefully, their future together will be long and prosperous.”

Lutnick further commented,

“It’s fun to fight with your biggest customer because it makes you feel brave. But in the end, making a deal with the United States is a business necessity.”

Outlining Washington’s conditions, he said,

“India doesn’t want to open its market, doesn’t want to stop buying Russian oil, and doesn’t want to pause participation in BRICS. If you want to be a bridge between Russia and China, so be it! But either support the dollar, support the United States, support your biggest customer — or impose a 50% tariff. Let’s see how long that lasts.”

Hours before Lutnick’s remarks, Finance Minister Sitharaman told CNBC TV18 in an interview that India will ‘undoubtedly’ continue buying Russian oil.

“Whether it’s Russian oil or anything else, we will make decisions based on price, supply, or any other benefits as per our needs. So we will undoubtedly buy Russian oil,” she said.

The United States has already imposed tariffs on India as high as 50%, including a 25% tariff on Russian oil imports. India has described these tariffs as “unreasonable and unfair.” New Delhi has stated that like any major economy, it will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security.