Prime Minister Modi and President Trump held a productive conversation, reaffirming bilateral cooperation and discussing regional and global issues. The call signals renewed engagement, with progress noted in most areas except trade, where US tariffs remain a point of contention. Both leaders emphasized continued collaboration for global peace and prosperity.
NEW DELHI: Amidst ongoing efforts by India and the US to finalise a bilateral trade deal, PM Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump spoke on Thursday, reaffirming their shared commitment to carrying forward bilateral cooperation while also discussing regional and global issues.The conversation came within a week of Modi’s summit with Russian President Putin and in the middle of renewed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war on the back of Trump’s peace plan.The two sides are looking to arrive at a common understanding on issues amid indications that US is still seeking access for its farm products like corn and soybean, among other issues. The two sides have been in talks for a bilateral trade pact since March.”Had very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity,” Modi posted on X.PM-Trump call signals greater India-US willingness to engagePM Modi is learnt to have reiterated India’s position that it will support all international efforts for peace. “Modi and Trump reviewed the steady progress in India-US bilateral relations and exchanged views on key regional and global developments,” said an Indian readout. This was the first conversation between the two since they had a call days after Diwali.Thursday’s telephonic conversation signals a greater willingness on both sides to engage as there has been progress in most areas, barring trade, for which Trump has imposed 50% import duty on Indian products, comprising 25% reciprocal tariff and another 25% secondary tariffs for purchasing Russian oil and defence equipment.The move has hit several Indian exports, including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery and shrimps. While negotiators from the two sides have been engaging in a dialogue to resolve the issue, the Trump administration is yet to ease the tariffs, despite an acknowledgment by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that the offer on the table is the best received so far.The conversation follows recent efforts by both sides to revive bilateral engagements after the trade-related impasse. US also joined India and other Quad nations in condemning the Red Fort terror incident in a Quad counter-terrorism dialogue. Both sides also separately held their own terrorism dialogue.India and US held foreign office consultations this week with a focus on key bilateral issues, including trade and investment, defence, the TRUST initiative for cooperation in critical technologies, energy, including civil nuclear collaboration, and critical minerals.According to US, the meeting was an opportunity to translate President Trump and PM Modi’s vision from their Feb meeting this year into “concrete progress that enhances US security, jobs and competitiveness, while supporting India’s long-term goals”.”The Under Secretary emphasised US’ aim to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, technology, space, and trusted supply chains and the value of US-India cooperation that fuels US innovation while supporting India’s rise as a global technology leader,” a US embassy spokesperson said.While the US statement did not mention the Indo-Pacific, an Indian readout said that the discussions also covered regional and global developments of mutual interest, with both sides underscoring their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
