Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that he held a conversation with United States President Donald Trump, who confirmed the pair had discussed trade as both countries work to repair recently strained relations.
Ties between New Delhi and Washington have been tense since August, when Trump raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50 percent and accused India of indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing discounted oil from Moscow.
During a Diwali ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, Trump told reporters he had spoken with Modi by phone.
“We talked about trade, we talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade, he’s very interested in that.” he said while lighting candles to mark the Hindu festival of lights.
Modi thanked Trump for the conversation, writing on X that he hoped “our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope.”
India and the United States have yet to reach a formal trade deal, despite being among the first partners to begin talks after Trump began his second term.
The US president also reiterated his claim, first made on October 15, that India would scale back its purchases of Russian oil. New Delhi has neither confirmed nor denied any change in its energy policy.
India depends on imports for more than 85 percent of its crude oil needs and began buying cheaper Russian barrels in 2022 after Western sanctions limited Moscow’s export options.
Relations between the two countries have also been tested by other disputes this year, including Trump’s assertion that he personally brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following a brief conflict in Kashmir in May — a claim Modi’s government has denied.
Last month, the Trump administration also increased fees for H-1B skilled-worker visas to $100,000. Indian nationals account for about 75 percent of all H-1B recipients.
The two leaders may meet later this month at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, which Trump is expected to attend. India is not a member of the Southeast Asian bloc, but reports in local media suggest Modi may join the gathering.