Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the landmark India–US trade deal was the outcome of “sustained patience” and perseverance, acknowledging that the negotiations had not been easy.
“The world order is changing, and its trajectory is increasingly tilting towards India,” Modi was quoted as saying at a meeting of the NDA parliamentary party. “People were criticising us, but we kept courage,” he added.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced that India and the United States had agreed to a trade deal under which Washington would reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the current 25 per cent.
Modi welcomed the move, saying he was delighted that “Made in India products will now face a reduced tariff of 18 per cent,” calling it a positive step for Indian exporters.
The development follows India’s landmark free trade agreement with the European Union signed on January 27, described by the government as the “mother of all deals”. The deal is expected to create access to a combined market of nearly two billion people.
At the NDA meeting, party leaders felicitated Modi for successfully concluding trade agreements with 39 countries. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was enthusiasm among MPs over the achievement.
“There is excitement among the MPs that these trade deals have been concluded under the Prime Minister’s leadership. Agreements have been signed with 39 countries, many of them developed economies. This is historic and has created a very positive atmosphere in the country,” Rijiju told reporters.
Earlier in the day, Modi shared a Sanskrit subhashitam on X, underscoring the importance of self-confidence in nation-building.
“Self-confidence is the power through which everything becomes possible. This strength of our citizens will be crucial in realising the dream of a developed India,” he wrote.
