In yet another moment of bonhomie between the two leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from US President Donald Trump for wishes on his birthday eve as he turns 75 on September 17. In a post on X, Modi thanked Trump and referred to the trade deal talks that resumed just hours earlier: “Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights.”
He added, "We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.” Trump later made a similar post on Truth Social: “Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine!”
Trump has been chiding India - though lately he's focused on Europe - to stop buying Russian oil to force it to stop the Ukraine war. The oil and the war have been cited as a reason behind the massive 50% US import tariffs imposed by Trump on Indian goods and services. But Trump and Modi's personal equation recently managed to break through the tension that was marked by sharp jibes by US officials even as India stayed firm but measured on the issue. Trump's adviser Peter Navarro and treasury secretary Scott Bessent made repeated unsavoury comments about India, even
targeting the PM directly, but thaw came about a week ago. India, US hold trade talks Meanwhile, Assistant US trade representative Brendan Lynch held a constructive meeting in New Delhi with his Indian counterpart Rajesh Agrawal in New Delhi. A US embassy spokesperson said both the sides discussed the way forward on bilateral trade negotiations. India's ministry of commerce and industry issued a similar statement, noting that both nations had resolved to intensify their work toward securing a trade deal.
“Recognising the enduring significance of US-India trade ties, the dialogue was positive and forward- looking, addressing multiple aspects of the prospective deal. Both sides agreed to accelerate efforts aimed at achieving an early, mutually beneficial agreement,” the ministry said.
Lynch and his team arrived in India late on Monday for the talks, which sources in the Indian government described not as the formal sixth round of trade negotiations but rather a “precursor” to them.