New Delhi, Jan 26: President Donald Trump extended formal greetings to India on its 77th Republic Day, characterizing the relationship between the two nations as a historic bond. The message, released through the US embassy in New Delhi on Monday, comes during a period of diplomatic complexity as both administrations navigate disagreements over international trade and tariff structures.
The presidential greeting stressed the shared democratic values between the United States and India. While the rhetoric remains positive, the bilateral relationship has faced hurdles recently following the imposition of a 50 percent tariff on various Indian goods, including specific levies related to energy purchases.
“On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of India as you celebrate your 77th Republic Day,” President Trump said in the official statement.
The diplomatic outreach was echoed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who noted the strategic depth of the partnership. Rubio said that the collaboration spans multiple sectors, including defense, energy, and emerging technologies, which continues to deliver results for the Indo-Pacific region through frameworks like the Quad.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor also attended the parade at Kartavya Path, marking his first time at the event. He noted that the presence of US-origin aircraft, such as the C-130J and Apache helicopters in the aerial display, serves as a visible symbol of the strategic security ties between the two capitals.
Negotiations regarding a bilateral trade deal are ongoing. Discussions have faced delays as officials work through Washington’s requests for increased access to certain domestic sectors. Despite these policy differences, the US administration mentioned its intent to continue working toward shared objectives in the coming year.
