Karoline Leavitt resigns: Her role in Trump’s India-US trade, Operation Sindoor messaging

Though Leavitt was not the policymaker on India, she turned one of many administration’s most seen public messengers on points that mattered on to Indians, tariffs, Russian oil, immigration and the India-Pakistan battle.

Serving because the White Home Press Secretary over the previous 12 months and a half has been the honour and journey of a lifetime. I’m extremely grateful to President Trump for granting me so many extraordinary alternatives, akin to working within the West Wing and spending numerous hours… https://t.co/4jyW61DGGh pic.twitter.com/xny1yccuBn

— Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) August 12, 2026

Youngest White Home press secretary

Leavitt joined the Trump administration in January 2025 when the Republican chief returned to White Home, and she or he turned the youngest particular person ever to carry the position of White Home press secretary. She has two younger youngsters along with her husband, actual property developer Nicholas Riccio, NBC Information reported.

.@PressSec: “As you all noticed yesterday, @POTUS struck one other nice commerce deal, with India… India dedicated to not solely now not buying Russian oil, however shopping for oil from the US… Prime Minister Modi dedicated to $500B of investments into the US.” pic.twitter.com/Qz61lF6Nt3

— Fast Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 3, 2026

In February 2026, she stated the US had reduce its tariff on Indian items from 25 per cent to 18 per cent as a part of a brand new commerce association underneath which India had dedicated to cease shopping for Russian oil and buy extra US oil, whereas additionally committing to $500 billion in purchases and funding throughout areas together with power, transportation and agriculture.

Leavitt on India-US commerce and Russian oil

“As you all noticed yesterday, the President struck one other nice commerce cope with India. He spoke with Prime Minister Modi immediately; they share an excellent relationship. India dedicated to not solely now not buying Russian oil but additionally shopping for oil from the US,” Leavitt stated in February, Fox Information reported.

Nonetheless, after the US, together with Israel, launched army assaults on Iran, the strategic waterway Strait of Hormuz was nearly shut, and Leavitt stated on March 10 that the Trump administration has “briefly permitted” India to renew restricted Russian oil imports, stating that “our allies in India have been good actors.”

What Leavitt stated throughout the India-Pakistan battle

Through the India-Pakistan battle in Could 2025, Leavitt’s preliminary briefings on the matter remained cautious, and she or he conveyed Trump’s message that the President wished the battle to “de-escalate as rapidly as doable” and pressured that the White Home was in “lively and ongoing contact” with each New Delhi and Islamabad through Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Karoline leavitt referred to as Gen Z and the brand new voter base lazy and claimed they’re born with silver spoons of their mouths whereas additionally claiming the job market and economic system is nice.

That is what bought her Fired. pic.twitter.com/GvGRU4Socr

— Jesse James (@Nico_Gianni__) August 13, 2026

After India struck terror websites in Pakistan underneath Operation Sindoor, New Delhi and Islamabad reached an understanding to halt the battle.

It was then Trump, via his social media posts and interviews, and Leavitt, through her each day press briefings, who began asserting a mediating position. Trump had claimed that he informed each side, “When you cease it, we’re doing commerce; in case you don’t, we’re not.”

India, nevertheless, rejected the suggestion {that a} third celebration had mediated the ceasefire, saying the understanding was reached immediately between the Director Generals of Navy Operations of India and Pakistan.