The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday forthrightly dismissed social media reports claiming the Indian government is considering suspending tariff relief for US goods or considering suspending bilateral deals with America.
Terming the reports as unverified, the official fact-check wing of the MEA identified the social media reports as "fake news" and blamed two particular X (formerly Twitter) handles for spreading the false news.
Among the posts being questioned was that from the account "China in English," whose claim was: "Indian Media | The Indian government starts going through the list of US goods exempted from tariff. and announces: 'No privileges without mutual respect.'"
Replying directly on X, the MEA said: "This is FAKE News!"
Another account called "Middle Eastern Affairs" was also called out for posting the same narratives. They posted one claiming: "Unprecedented statement from New Delhi: India is mulling suspending or reviewing some bilateral agreements with the United States if aggressive economic policies persist."
MEA's fact-checking team fired back strongly, blaming the account "Middle Eastern Affairs" for posting multiple pieces full of "FAKE News.
These Indian government clarifications came immediately after US President Donald Trump asserted on Sunday that India reportedly suspended its purchase of Russian oil.
But, according to TOI, official sources quickly refuted that assertion. Referring to government sources, ANI had said: "Indian oil refiners still purchase oil from Russian producers. Their purchasing choices are dictated by price, crude grade, inventories, logistics and other economic considerations."
In spite of Trump's statement and the online grapevine doing the rounds, TOI spoke to officials who confirmed that no official action has been taken by the Indian government to change trade preferences extended to the US or to review any bilateral agreements that currently exist.
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