Amid escalating tensions between India and the United States over tariffs, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the relationship between India and the US
is "very solid" and both sides should find common ground to resolve the tariff issue. When asked about if he would give advice to PM Modi on dealing with US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said he would do so privately. Israel's PM Netanyahu, who shares a good rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that he would visit India "soon". "I would like to come to India. I miss India," he said. To a question on whether he would give any advice to PM Modi on dealing with Trump, the Israeli leader half-jockingly said he would do so privately. "Modi and Trump are terrific friends of mine. Yes I would give Modi some advice (on dealing with Trump), but privately." On escalating tensions between India and the US after Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, Netanyahu said, "There is a basic understanding in relationship between India and the US. The basis of the relationship is very solid. It will be in the interest of India and the US to arrive at a common ground and resolve the tariff issue." "Such a resolution will be good for Israel as well as both countries are our friends," he added. Netanyahu said Israel is keen to have flight connectivity between Bengaluru and Tel Aviv. "We would like to have direct flights between Tel Aviv and Bangalore, so that we can reach in six hours, that will be shorter than the flight to San Francisco," he said. The Trump administration has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the US. On July 31, Trump signed an Executive Order titled 'Further Modifying The Reciprocal Tariff Rates', imposing a 25 per cent tariff on India. Later on August 1, Trump imposed additional 25 per cent tariff on India as a "penalty" for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian energy through the 'Addressing Threats to the US by the Government of the Russian Federation' order. Hitting back at the United States, India said that the actions are "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable." It is extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement, adding India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. In an apparent response to Trump's tariff move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a public event, on Thursday, stated that India "will not compromise" and "is ready to pay the price for the same." "For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it. Today, India is ready for the country's farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers..." PM Modi said at an event.
