Despite trade disagreements, Trump called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “a friend.” He also repeated his earlier claim that he helped stop conflict between India and Pakistan through trade negotiations. “They ended the war with Pakistan at my request, and that was great,” he said, also mentioning past settlements involving Cambodia.

The announcement came just two days before the August 1 deadline to impose reciprocal tariffs. However, in recent weeks, the US president has been repeating that both sides were close to striking a trade agreement.

India is preparing to face higher U.S. tariffs — likely between 20% and 25% — on some of its exports as a temporary measure, as it holds off on fresh trade concessions ahead of Washington's August 1 deadline,