Context was balance of trade: MEA on Trump's 'not treated well' remark

Referring to US president Donald Trump’s recent statement that India has not treated his country “very well” on the trade front, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday (February 20) said the context in which the remarks were made was balance of trade and there have been efforts to address the concerns.

Ahead of his India visit on February 24-25, Trump said that India has not treated his country “very well” on the trade front and indicated that a “very big” bilateral deal with New Delhi may not be signed before the American presidential election in November.

“We’re not treated very well by India, but I happen to like the Prime Minister a lot,” Trump said.

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Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said it is important to understand the context in which the remarks were made. “The context was balance of trade and efforts have been made to address concerns,” he said.

“India is eagerly awaiting President Trump’s visit and it will strengthen the bilateral global strategic ties,” Kumar said.

On how many agreements will be signed during Trump’s India visit, Kumar said around five MoUs were under discussion. Asked whether the issues relating to H1B visa will figure in Modi-Trump talks, Kumar said they could come up.

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Elaborate preparations are underway for the US president’s India visit during which he is scheduled to participate in a rally and address the ‘Namaste Trump’ event, modelled on the Howdy Modi event in the US last year. The visit will be Trump’s fifth meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in eight months, during which he will visit Ahmedabad, Agra and Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)