Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone Thursday in their first contact in about two months, reviewing the India‑US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and discussing expanded cooperation in trade, critical technologies, energy, defence and security. The call came less than a week after India hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin for the leaders’ summit on December 4-5.
Modi described the conversation on X as “very warm and engaging,” saying they reviewed bilateral progress and regional and international developments and reaffirmed that India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the steady strengthening of cooperation across domains and agreed to work closely on shared challenges and common interests.
The call coincided with a US Congress Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing where lawmakers criticized the Trump administration’s approach to India, including recent tariffs. A widely circulated image of Modi and Putin drew comment during the session. Lawmakers have questioned Trump’s earlier imposition of 25% tariffs on Indian goods in August 2025 and subsequent punitive tariffs linked to purchases of Russian crude.
Modi and Trump emphasized the need to sustain momentum on enhancing bilateral trade. A US trade delegation was in New Delhi December 10–12 for talks aimed at finalising a bilateral trade agreement first discussed during Modi’s Washington visit in February; both sides had earlier targeted September for conclusion. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer to discuss economic and technology partnership, ongoing negotiations and opportunities to boost two‑way trade and resilient supply chains. Officials said India hopes the first tranche of the agreement will be finalised within the next few months.
