Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Let's begin our conversation. The floor is open.

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI:Sir, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. Recently President Trump claimed that India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil and shift buying crude from Venezuela and the United States. Any comments on that? And what is India's current policy on Russian oil imports? If you can clarify. Thank you.

Yeshi Seli, Business India: This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. An associated question. What is the status of this trade deal? Were negotiations done or was it based on just the phone call between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi?

Keshav Padmanabhan, ThePrint:Sir, Keshav Padmanabhan from the Print. Reports have indicated that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had a secret meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio sometime late last year. Can you give us details on whether such a meeting occurred and what happened?

And I just wanted to follow up on the Indian sailors in Iran, 16 sailors. You said that you had requested for consular access. Could you give us a status on that as well? Thank you.

Jessica, DD India:Hi, sir. This is Jessica for DD India. Sir, could you tell us more about the critical minerals ministerial that Dr. Jaishankar took part in along with 50 other nations? Some more details about what all was discussed and what all is being planned.

Rishabh, Times Now:Sir, good afternoon. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, there was a bipartisan US delegation that came to India last week. If you can give us more details, what were the discussions like, and what were the main focus of the delegation?

Reza, Hindustan Times:Reza from Hindustan Times. Just a quick clarification on the critical minerals ministerial. There is talk about US creating a stockpile of critical minerals. Are we looking at joining that? And, if there is any clarity on how materials will be allocated from that stockpile?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, so let's Ayushi first come to your question. In so far as India's energy security or energy sourcing is concerned, the government has stated publicly on several occasions, including me here, that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority of the government. Diversifying our energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy to ensure this. All of India's decisions are taken and will be taken with this in mind.

Bharat ki urja apurti ke sambandh mein Bharat ne kai maukon par sarvajanik roop se kaha hai ki 140 crore Bhartiyon ka hit, unki urja suraksha sunishchit karna hamari sarkar ki sarvochch prathmikta hai. Is lakshya ko prapt karne ke liye bazar sthitiyon aur badalte antarrashtriya ghatnakramon ke anuroop apni urja sroton mein vividhata lana hamari rann-neeti ka mool adhaar hai. Bharat ke sabhi kadam is baat ko dhyaan mein rakhkar uthaye gaye hain aur bhavishya mein bhi uthaye jayenge.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]In so far as India's energy security or energy sourcing is concerned, India has stated publicly on several occasions, that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority of the government. Diversifying our energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy to ensure this. All of India's decisions are taken and will be taken with this in mind.

Also, since Ayushi asked related question to Venezuela, so I would like to answer that as well. See, as far as Venezuela is concerned, it has been a long-standing partner for us in the area of energy, both on the trade side and as also on the investment side. We were importing energy or crude oil from Venezuela till 2019-20 and thereafter we had to stop. Again, we started buying oil from Venezuela in 2023-24 which were halted because of re-imposition of sanctions. As you are aware that Indian PSUs, they have established partnership with the National Oil Company of Venezuela, PDVSA, and our PSUs have maintained presence in the country since 2008. Consistent with our approach to energy security, India remains open to exploring the commercial merits of any crude supply options, including from Venezuela.

Yeshi, in regard to your question, Commerce and Industry Minister has already spoken. In fact, today also he has given a statement, so I would refer you to please have a look at those statements for clarity on the issues that you raised.

Keshav, responding to your question regarding report by Bloomberg, I would like to say that there is absolutely no basis for that report. No such meeting or no such visit has taken place.

On Iran, the 16 sailors that you mentioned, we've had consular access. Our officials in Bandar Abbas, they have gone and met them. Of those 16, eight people... this is what we've been informed by the Iranian authorities... eight of them have been released and they will be returning home as and when necessary formalities for their travel is completed. In regard to the remaining eight sailors, we are in touch with Iranian authorities, and we'll see how best to support them for whatever need they may have.

On critical minerals partnership, Jessica, External Affairs Minister attended this meeting which was hosted by the US side. We had over 50 countries who participated. If I remember correctly, 54 countries plus European Union participated in the meeting. External Affairs Minister was there. In his remarks he highlighted the challenges of excessive concentration and the importance of de-risking supply. He also talked about structured international cooperation. He also highlighted India's efforts towards greater resilience through National Critical Mineral Mission that we have, Rare Earth Corridor and responsible commerce. And he conveyed support for the FORGE initiative that has been set in motion post this critical minerals partnership.

Reza, in regard to your question, I don't have any further details, but I can tell you that India is supportive of FORGE initiative, which in a sense replaces critical mineral initiative that was there earlier in place.

Rishabh, on your question regarding the US delegation, this delegation comprising three Congressmen, they visited India from 25th to 27th. We have regular exchanges with the US Congress members and us. Regular dialogue, conversations, it's an important part of our India-US comprehensive strategic partnership that we have. These three Congressmen who were here, they were Representative Mike Rogers, he is a Republican from Alabama, Representative Adam Smith, he's a Democrat from Washington, and Representative Jimmy Patronis, he's a Republican from Florida. It was a bipartisan delegation that we had here. They were also accompanied by senior staff members.

They called on the External Affairs Minister. They also had a meeting with Defense Secretary. Discussions centered around bilateral ties, bilateral cooperation, matters of trade, Ukraine issue, what we are doing together in the Indo-Pacific. They also had a meeting with industry leaders, in particular in the defense sector. So overall it was a good meeting and the fact that it was a bipartisan Congressional delegation from the US reflects that there is strong bipartisan support for India-US relations.

Uma Shankar Singh, Independent Journalist:Uma Shankar Singh, Independent journalist. Humne videsh mantri ki taraf se aaya bayaan bhi dekha hai aur commerce ministry ki taraf se aaya bayaan bhi dekha hai. Sawaal ye hai ki jis tarah ke bayaan America ki taraf se aa rahe hain, chahe krishi mantri ki taraf se hon ya White House pravakta ki taraf se, kya lagta hai ki jo jis sensitivity nature ka ye deal hai, usmein is tarah ka aage badh ke bayaan dena jabki work still under progress hai, to kya wo kisi tarah se diplomatic norms ka ulanghan hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Uma Shankar Singh, Independent Journalist. We have seen the statement issued by the External Affairs Minister, and we have also seen the statement issued by the Commerce Ministry. The question is: considering the kind of statements coming from the United States-whether from the Agriculture Secretary or the White House spokesperson-do you think that, given the sensitive nature of this deal, making such forward-looking statements while the work is still under progress amounts to a violation of diplomatic norms in any way?

Madhurendra, News Nation:Sir, Madhurendra main News Nation se. LAC ki jo sthiti hai, khaas taur par disengagement aur patrolling ki bahaali ko lekar, us par kai tarah ke sawaal khade ho rahe hain aur ek kitaab ko bhi quote kiya ja raha hai jo unpublished hai. Kyunki dono hi baat-cheet mein MEA participant raha hai, chahe WMCC ki baat karein ya Core Commander level talk ki baat karein, to kya jo maujooda sthiti hai usko MEA apne desk se spasht karna chahega?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, Madhurendra from News Nation. Regarding the situation along the LAC, especially with respect to disengagement and the restoration of patrolling, several questions are being raised, and an unpublished book is also being cited. Since the MEA has been a participant in both sets of talks-whether it is the WMCC discussions or the Core Commander-level talks-would the MEA like to clarify the current situation from its side?

Dhairya, Sputnik India: Sir, Dhairya from Sputnik India. I have a related question about the Russian oil. Sir, what's being suggested in pro-establishment US media like Fox News and others is that the US agreed to a trade deal after India agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil. So, I just want a clarification if the US asked India to stop purchasing Russian oil as a precondition for agreeing to a trade deal. And sir, on a related note, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said yesterday that India-Russia energy cooperation has been mutually beneficial for both the countries and has helped maintain stability in international crude market. Do you share that assessment, sir? Thank you.

Brahm Prakash Dubey, Zee News:Sir, Brahm Prakash Dubey Zee News se. Mera sawaal sir US ke saath trade deal ko lekar hai. Jis tarah se Ameriki Rashtrapati ne tweet kiya tha, uske baad se Bharat ki taraf se koi us par official jaankari saamne nahi aayi thi. To kya ye Bharat ki taraf se mamla uthaya gaya hai? Kyunki US ki taraf se lagataar trade deal par bayaan aa rahe hain lekin Bharat ki taraf se is par koi sthiti spasht nahi hai. Sansad mein bhi isi baat ko lekar vipaksh mudda utha raha hai ki kya ye dabaav mein faisla kiya gaya ya sthiti kya hai ya krishi kshetra khola gaya hai America ke liye? Ye kya hai, agar aap sthiti spasht karein. Thank you.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Brahm Prakash Dubey from Zee News. My question is regarding the trade deal with the US. After the tweet made by the American President, no official information has come from India on this. So, has this matter been taken up by India? Because statements regarding the trade deal are continuously coming from the US, but India's position on this has not been clarified. In Parliament too, the opposition is raising this issue, asking whether a decision has been taken under pressure, what the actual situation is, and whether the agricultural sector has been opened for the US. What is the status? If you could clarify the situation. Thank you.

Kadambini Sharma, Independent journalist:Kadambini Sharma, Independent journalist. Sir, just a clarification about Venezuelan oil. Will it be coming via US and if so, what is the legality and long-term legal viability of this?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, Umashankar, aapka pehla sawaal. Dekhiye vyapaar samjhauta ke bare mein commerce ministry aur commerce minister, hamare vanijya mantri ka bayaan aaya hai aur unhone ek press vaarta bhi kiya tha jismein shayad aap logon mein se kaafi log wahan gaye the. Uske alaave kal unhone parliament mein bhi apni baat rakhi hai aur aaj bhi kuch statement jaari kiya hai to main aapse chahunga ki aap un statement par dhyaan dein. Uske aage mere liye kuch kehne ke liye nahi hai. Usmein kaafi sari spasht-ta bhi hai to aapko usse laabh hoga.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Okay. So, Umashankar, your first question. Look, regarding the trade agreement, a statement has been issued by the Commerce Ministry and by our commerce minister. He also held a press conference, in which perhaps many of you were present. Apart from that, yesterday he also presented his views in Parliament, and today as well, some statements have been issued. So, I would request you to pay attention to those statements. Beyond that, I have nothing further to add. Those statements contain a lot of clarity, and they will be beneficial for you.

Madhu, jahan tak cheen ka sawaal hai, LAC ka sawaal hai, jab-jab hamari dwipakshiya vaarta hoti hai to hum aapko apne maadhyam se hamare press vigyapti ke maadhyam se aapko batate hain ki kis prakar ki koshish chal rahi hai wahan par shaanti aur sthirta banaye rakhne ke liye. Aapko hum is par jaankari dete rahenge. Jahan tak kitaab ki baat kahi aur sab cheezon ki baat kahi, to us par mere khayal se pichle kuch dinon mein saalon mein us par baat-cheet hui hai. Raksha mantralay ne bhi kuch is par nirnay liya hai, aap us baat ko dekhein ki kya unka ravaiya raha hai, kya rukh raha hai, kis prakar ka paksh unhone is par rakha hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Madhu, as far as the question regarding China and the LAC is concerned, whenever our bilateral talks take place, we inform you through our official channels and through press releases about what kind of efforts are underway there to maintain peace and lasting peace and stability. We will continue to keep you informed on this. As for the book and the other matters you mentioned, I believe discussions on this have taken place over the past few days and years. The Ministry of Defense has also taken certain decisions on this. You may look into that-what their approach has been, what their position has been, and what kind of stand they have taken on this issue.

Dhairya, on energy sourcing I told you what Government of India's policy is and in the beginning when I started this conference, I told you where we are on energy sourcing, so I would refer you to my remarks made earlier.

Brahm, dekhiye krishi kshetra ke bare mein chahe koi aur bhi mudde hain, is par spasht roop se hamare vanijya mantri ne kaha hai, unhone apna statement jaari kiya hai, baatein ki hain to mere khayal se aap agar us statement ko padhein to usmein aapko kaafi sari spasht-ta mil jayengi.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Brahm, look, whether it is regarding the agriculture sector or any other issues, our Commerce Minister has stated this very clearly. He has issued his statement and has spoken on the matter. So, I think if you read that statement, you will get a lot of clarity from it.

On Venezuela again, Kadambini, we have as I told you there is a history of engagement with Venezuela. We have long-standing energy partnership with them, and we remain open to exploring options of availability of crude oil from Venezuela and other places depending on its commercial viability.

Neeraj, News18 India:Sir, Neeraj hoon News18 India se. Jamaat-e-Islami ne ghoshna patra jaari kiya hai Bangladesh chunaav ko lekar kuch vaade kiye hain, usmein Bharat ke saath constructive, peaceful aur friendly relation ho iska zikr kiya hai. Bharat is comment ko kaise dekhta hai jabki Bharat ka baar-baar ye kehna hai ki Bharat Bangladesh mein samaveshi chunaav chahta hai, jabki Awami League ko us chunaav mein shaamil hone ki permission nahi hai.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, I am Neeraj from News18 India. Jamaat-e-Islami has issued a manifesto regarding the Bangladesh elections and has made certain promises. In it, they have mentioned having constructive, peaceful, and friendly relations with India. How does India view this comment, especially when India has repeatedly said that it wants inclusive elections in Bangladesh, whereas the Awami League is not permitted to participate in those elections?

Neeraj Dubey, Prabhasakshi:Sir, namaskar. Neeraj Dubey hoon Prabhasakshi se. Sir, Oman mein meeting honi hai America aur Iran ki, isko Bharat kaise dekhta hai aur Videsh Mantri Jaishankar ji ki Marco Rubio se jo baat-cheet mein Iran ko lekar kya kuch vaarta hui is par agar kuch prakash daalna chahein.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, greetings. I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. Sir, a meeting is going to take place in Oman between the United States and Iran. How does India view this? And regarding External Affairs Minister's conversation with Marco Rubio, if you would like to shed some light on what discussions took place concerning Iran.

Megha Sharma, NewsX:Good afternoon, Sir. Megha from NewsX. My question about the statement that has been released just now by the Commerce Minister saying that there is going to be a joint statement that is going to be issued both by US and Indian officials. Is it going to be physically issued in India or in America? Are there any American officials expected to come to India or any Indian official headed to United States of America? And also, about the FTA, he said by mid-March is what is expected that the FTA is going to be signed. Is it going to be a signing of the deal virtually, physically? Is the Prime Minister going to America or the US President coming to India?

Raghavendra Verma, German TV ZDF:Sir, this is Raghavendra Verma from German TV ZDF. This is regarding the India-European Union trade deal. So, do we have a timeline of the actual signing of the deal? Is it correct that presently only the legal vetting of the details of the deal is being pending? And with the US deal, would it be a similar one, something which will be signed and then later on vetted? And what would be the actual deal? And in India the process goes only to the approval through cabinet and not from the parliament. Is it correct? Unlike European Union.

Manas:Good afternoon. Just a little clarification. I mean there has been confusion about the US tariff now. In fact, as of now what is the tariff actually? It is 18% from 25% or it is 18% from 50%? And … do you think President Trump has jumped the gun on the trade deal? Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Okay, so first, Neeraj, aapka sawaal. Dekhiye Bangladesh mein jo chunaav hona hai uske bare mein humne kai dafa hamara apna paksh rakha hai to main chahunga ki aap jo hum logon ne is par baat rakhi hai, samaveshi chunaav ke bare mein kaha hai, us par aap dhyaan dein.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Okay, so first, Neeraj, your question. Look, regarding the elections that are going to take place in Bangladesh, we have stated our position on several occasions. So, I would request you to pay attention to what we have said on this matter, particularly regarding inclusive elections.

Neeraj, aapka sawaal Iran ko lekar hai. Bhartiya Videsh Mantri ki yaatra 3 aur 4 ko America ki hui hai. Is darmiyaan unhone wahan ke Videsh Mantri se apni baat-cheet ki, saath hi saath wahan ke jo Treasury Secretary hain unse bhi baat-cheet hui hai aur dono desh... dono netaon ke beech mein kai ek saare muddon par baat-cheet hui jismein ki bhaugolik mudde bhi hain, regional issues bhi hain aur global issues bhi hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Neeraj, your question is regarding Iran. The Indian External Affairs Minister visited the United States on the 3rd and 4th. During this visit, he held discussions with the US Secretary of State, and also met with the US Treasury Secretary. Between the two countries-between the two leaders-discussions were held on a wide range of issues, including geographical matters, regional issues, and global issues.

Megha, again, you know Commerce Minister has given you several details in his statements. Again, today also he has spoken about the various aspects relating to the trade deal. So, I would request you to please look at those details that have been shared. And if there are further developments in this regard, we'll surely share them with you.

Raghavendra, on India-UAE FTA... last week we had the signing of this historic landmark trade deal. Now the trade deal, the trade agreement, they have to undergo internal processes in both sides, in the European Union and also here in India. But let me tell you, both sides remain politically committed to implement the agreement as soon as possible.

Manas, your question about tariff. So, let me refer you to the statements that have been made by both sides. Prime Minister had a telecon with President Trump on Monday. Post that call and post the tweet by President Trump, Prime Minister thanked President Trump for the reduction in reciprocal tariff. Prime Minister noted that 'Made in India' products will now be exported to the United States at a reduced tariff of 18%. This trade agreement, as we see it, will give a major boost to our exports to the United States. It will be a major boost to the labor-intensive industries here in India, create new job opportunities, growth and prosperity for our people. Also, let me say that the US side has also clarified that the final figure of tariff is 18%.

Dono deshon ke taraf se bayaan aaya hai tariff ke mudde pe. Jaisa ki aap jaante hain, hamare Pradhan Mantri ki Rashtrapati Trump se baat-cheet hui thi. Baat-cheet ke baad, us tele-conversation ke baad, jab President Trump ne tweet kiya, uske baad Pradhan Mantri ne unko dhanyawaad diya ki Bharat par ab jo tariff hai, reciprocal tariff, usko niche laya gaya hai. Aur saath hi saath Pradhan Mantri ne ye bhi vyakt kiya ki Bharat mein bane padarth, products, ab America jab niryaat honge, to unpe ghata hua tariff, jo 18% ka hai, wo laagu hoga.

Aur is vyapaar sandhi se hamare ko, hamare niryaat ko, hamare desh mein jo shram adhaarit udyog hai usko, aur saath hi saath yahan par anya vyavsay ke, naukri ke bahut saare opportunities paida honge aur hamare logon ke bhalai ke aur unke hit mein hai ye. Saath hi saath aapko main batana chahunga ki Ameriki sarkar ki taraf se ye khulasa kiya gaya hai ki jo final jo figure hai, jo ank hai tariff ka, wo 18% hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Statements have come from both sides on this issue, on the issue of tariffs. As you know, our Prime Minister had a conversation with President Trump. After that tele-conversation, when President Trump tweeted, the Prime Minister thanked him for reducing the reciprocal tariff that was applicable to India. Along with that, the Prime Minister also expressed that when products manufactured in India are exported to the United States, a reduced tariff of 18% will be applicable on them. This trade agreement will benefit our exports, our labour-based industries in the country, and will also create many job opportunities and other business prospects here. It is in the welfare and interest of our people. I would also like to inform you that the US government has disclosed that the final tariff figure is 18%.

With that ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your presence.

New Delhi
February 05, 2026