New Delhi, Sept 17: Hours after trade negotiators from India and the United States described their latest discussions in New Delhi as “positive and forward-looking,” former U.S. President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to wish him on his 75th birthday.
“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 towards ending the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump posted on social media.
Modi, acknowledging the call, stressed the depth of their personal and political ties. “Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am fully committed to taking the India-US comprehensive and global partnership to new heights,” Modi wrote on X. He also voiced support for Trump’s initiatives for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine, reiterating India’s role as an advocate for global peace.
The exchange came on a day when officials from both countries wrapped up an eight-hour meeting at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi. The U.S. delegation was led by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, while India’s side was headed by Special Secretary and Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal.
Both delegations agreed to intensify efforts for an early conclusion of the first phase of a proposed bilateral trade deal, which was initially announced in February and slated for completion by November. “Lynch had a positive meeting in Delhi with his counterpart Agrawal to discuss next steps in bilateral trade negotiations,” a spokesperson for the U.S. embassy said.
The Indian Commerce Ministry echoed the sentiment, calling the discussions “positive and forward-looking,” with both sides acknowledging the importance of bilateral trade. Merchandise trade between India and the U.S. stood at $131.84 billion in 2024-25, making the U.S. India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year. Of this, India exported $86.5 billion worth of goods to the U.S.
Sources said the two countries would continue talks virtually, with further rounds expected soon. The New Delhi meeting was the first face-to-face interaction since Washington imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods earlier this year, including levies tied to India’s oil purchases from Russia. Analysts estimate these measures could hit $48 billion worth of Indian exports and potentially shave 0.5 per cent off India’s GDP.
The tariff dispute has complicated negotiations that began in March, though both sides have so far completed five rounds of talks. Monday’s meeting aimed to address key hurdles, particularly U.S. demands for greater access to India’s agriculture and dairy sectors. New Delhi has resisted those calls, citing risks to millions of small farmers. “These are red lines for us,” an Indian official said, underscoring that any deal must ensure balanced concessions.
Commerce ministry officials clarified that the talks had never been suspended, but had continued virtually across multiple levels, including ministerial. “This was not the sixth round of negotiations,” Agrawal told reporters, describing the New Delhi session as an effort to find pathways toward a workable agreement.
India-U.S. trade ties had hit a low in late August when a planned American delegation visit was postponed amid growing tensions. Tuesday’s resumption of talks, coupled with Trump’s outreach to Modi, has now injected fresh momentum into a relationship both sides view as strategically critical.
