US President Donald Trump praised a new trade deal with India, calling it “historic” and highlighting the United States’ growing role as a global energy exporter. Speaking at the Champion of Coal event on Wednesday, Trump said the deal is part of a series of agreements with countries like Japan and South Korea that have significantly boosted US coal exports.
“America is now the number one energy producer in the world. We’re becoming a massive energy exporter,” Trump said. “In just the past few months, we’ve made historic trade deals with Japan, Korea, India, and others to increase our coal exports dramatically. The quality of our coal is supposed to be the finest anywhere in the world.”
Trump’s remarks come amid reports that India is reducing oil imports from Russia, prompting scrutiny of the country’s energy sourcing decisions. In response, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that national interest continues to guide the country’s energy policy. Speaking at a Special Briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs, Misri said that both the government and private companies make decisions based on market conditions, costs, logistics, and risk assessments, while ensuring accountability.
“As far as sourcing energy is concerned, oil companies evaluate availability, costs, and risks before making procurement decisions,” Misri explained. “Whether it is the government or businesses, national interest will continue to guide our choices.”
He also emphasized that India, as a developing economy and net importer of oil and gas, must remain mindful of resource availability and the impact of imports on inflation.
The trade deal is expected to enhance India-US energy cooperation while ensuring that India’s energy security remains grounded in national priorities. Analysts see this as a key step in strengthening bilateral economic ties while balancing global market dynamics.
