PM Modi speaks to Trump, calls chat 'warm, engaging'; leaders review ties

The call comes at a time when a US trade delegation, led by Deputy US Trade Representative (USTR) Rick Switzer, is in India to further the trade negotiations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he had a “warm and engaging” conversation with US President Donald Trump, adding that the two discussed bilateral ties as well as key regional and global developments.  

 

"Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed the 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," PM Modi said in a post on X.  Both the leaders also underlined importance of sustaining momentum in shared efforts to enhance bilateral trade, reported PTI.

 

The call comes at a time when a US trade delegation, led by Deputy US Trade Representative (USTR) Rick Switzer, is in India to continue negotiations on a bilateral trade deal. The delegation may reportedly push for greater agricultural market access for certain raw crops such as corn and soybeans, besides meat products. 

 

Negotiations for a trade deal were launched in March 2025, with half a dozen rounds of negotiations having been held so far, with the last informal round conducted from October 15-17 in Washington D.C.

 

Having missed the “fall” deadline, India was aiming to conclude the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) before the end of the calendar year. On Thursday morning, India's Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran said that India and the US have ironed out "most of their pending differences" on trade, and that a formal agreement could be in place by March 2026.

 

“It is difficult to give a timeline on this. However, I would be surprised if we don’t have it sealed by the end of the financial year,” Nageswaran said.

 

The development comes just a week after Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to India, during which both countries signed deals on economic cooperation. President Putin also questioned the US' tariffs against India over its purchase of Russian crude, pointing out that the US itself was continuing to buy nuclear fuel from Russia.