In his first public address since assuming office, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan expressed confidence in the future of India-US relations, despite recent trade frictions under US President Donald Trump.
&ldquo;Even though a 50% import duty has been imposed on India, Trump continues to say "Modi is my great friend",&rdquo; Radhakrishnan remarked on Monday while unveiling four books compiling Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s speeches from 2022&ndash;24.
He underlined Modi&rsquo;s strong ties with world leaders such as Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping, suggesting these relationships could help &ldquo;turn the impossible into possible.&rdquo; 
Highlighting India&rsquo;s approach to global leadership, he said: &ldquo;We aspire to be a global power not to dictate terms, but for global welfare.At the same time, nobody can dictate terms to poor nations.&rdquo;
At the same event, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh described India&rsquo;s reliance on foreign nations as the country&rsquo;s &ldquo;biggest problem,&rdquo; while Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed to key achievements under Modi&rsquo;s leadership, including the world&rsquo;s largest food security programme and universal ration access.
Radhakrishnan, a senior RSS-BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, was elected as India&rsquo;s 15th Vice President on September 12, defeating Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy.

VP Radhakrishnan speaking at public book launch

Despite Trump’s tariffs, VP Radhakrishnan voices optimism on India-US relations

VP Radhakrishnan Confident On India-US Relations

Despite Trump’s tariffs, VP Radhakrishnan voices optimism on India-US relations

September 22, 2025 | 17:06 IST