- Karoline Leavitt is set to leave her role as White House press secretary.
- Leavitt became Trump's voice on India-US trade and the war with Pakistan.
- In February 2026, after the Trump administration reduced its tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, Leavitt applauded the move, stating that New Delhi committed to "no longer" purchasing Russian oil and that PM Modi agreed to investments of $500 billion across key American sectors.
- Leavitt claimed that India committed to ending Russian oil purchases and would instead source crude oil from the United States, potentially from Venezuela, under the new trade agreement.
- Leavitt told reporters: "The President struck another great trade deal with India... India is committed to not only no longer purchasing Russian oil, but buying oil from the United States, also perhaps from Venezuela too, which we know will now have a direct benefit on the United States and the American people."
Karoline Leavitt is leaving her position as White House press secretary, where she played a crucial role in shaping U.S.-India relations and addressing the India-Pakistan conflict.1
During her tenure, Leavitt was a key spokesperson for the Trump administration, particularly on trade issues. In February 2026, she praised the reduction of tariffs on Indian goods from 25 percent to 18 percent, highlighting India's commitment to cease purchasing Russian oil and instead source it from the U.S.3
"The President struck another great trade deal with India. He spoke with Prime Minister Modi directly. They share a very good relationship," Leavitt stated, emphasizing the potential benefits for the U.S. economy.
Additionally, Leavitt was vocal in asserting that Trump facilitated a peace deal between India and Pakistan during the May 2025 conflict. She even suggested that Trump deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in resolving tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations.
However, this claim has been met with skepticism, as New Delhi has maintained that it did not seek U.S. mediation and that the ceasefire was a result of Islamabad's request.
The U.S. narrative contradicts India's stance on the matter, showcasing the complexities of diplomatic relations in the region.
“Leavitt's tenure included championing a February 2026 trade deal that cut tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, with India pledging to stop buying Russian oil and invest $500 billion in US sectors. She also claimed India would source crude from the US, potentially from Venezuela.”
