Bessent described this as Europe “funding the war against themselves,” noting that while the continent is on the frontline of the conflict, it has simultaneously prioritised trade ties—particularly with India—over tightening economic pressure on Moscow. He said the situation reflects a deeper policy contradiction: Europe publicly supports Ukraine but maintains trade flows that ease financial pressure on Russia.
His remarks come amid broader US–EU tensions over tariffs, sanctions coordination and diverging trade strategies involving India.Meanwhile, according to a CNBC-TV18 report, India has made significant progress in its trade negotiations with the United States and discussions are intensive and ongoing.
According to officials familiar with the talks, negotiators from both sides remain in close and continuous contact, and engagement has continued even as India finalised its trade agreement with the European Union. They stressed that negotiations with one partner do not come at the expense of another, as multiple trade tracks typically run in parallel.
On Tuesday, India and the European Union announced the conclusion of an ambitious free trade agreement—touted as the “mother of all deals”—against a backdrop of global trade friction and shifting tariff regimes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the pact as “a new blueprint for shared prosperity,” saying it marks the largest free trade agreement in India’s history.
Alongside the FTA, India and the EU also signed a strategic defence partnership and a mobility agreement, with Modi asserting that the strengthened India‑EU partnership will play a positive role globally.
