NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed he held a conversation with Donald Trump on Wednesday.
The US president stated they discussed trade as both countries negotiate a potential deal to mend strained relations.
Bilateral ties deteriorated in August when Trump increased tariffs on Indian exports to the United States to 50%.
US officials had accused India of financing Russia’s war in Ukraine through purchases of discounted Moscow oil.
Trump mentioned the phone call with Modi during Tuesday’s Diwali celebration at the White House.
“We talked about trade -- we talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade,“ Trump told reporters while lighting candles for the Hindu festival of lights.
“He’s very interested in that.”
Modi expressed gratitude for the call in a post on social media platform X.
He said he hoped “our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope.”
India has not yet secured a formal trade agreement with the United States despite early negotiation efforts.
Trump repeated his October 15 claim that India would reduce Russian oil purchases.
New Delhi has neither confirmed nor denied any policy change regarding Russian crude imports.
India depends on foreign suppliers for over 85% of its oil needs as one of the world’s largest crude importers.
The country began purchasing heavily discounted Russian oil in 2022 after Western sanctions limited Moscow’s export options.
Additional friction points have strained Washington’s relationship with India throughout this year.
Trump previously claimed he mediated a ceasefire ending a four-day India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir in May.
Modi has stated no world leader mediated such a ceasefire between the two nations.
The Trump administration increased H-1B skilled-worker visa fees to $100,000 last month.
Indian citizens constitute approximately three-quarters of all H-1B visa recipients.
Trump and Modi might meet later this month at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
New Delhi has not confirmed Modi’s participation since India is not an ASEAN member state.
Some Indian newspapers have reported the prime minister may attend the Southeast Asian leaders’ summit. – AFP
