NEW DELHI:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy and critical technologies during a telephone conversation on Wednesday, amid continuing trade concerns between the two countries.
The conversation came days after the United States enacted the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which authorises the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.
India, a major buyer of Russian oil, has expressed concerns over the legislation. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had recently raised India’s concerns over the sanctions law during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi and Trump also exchanged views on regional and international developments and discussed ongoing efforts to promote global peace and security.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and agreed to remain in close contact.
Modi, in a post on X, described the conversation as productive and said the two leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and other areas.
The talks also come as India and the US continue negotiations on their bilateral trade agreement. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in the US for the G20 trade ministers’ meeting and is scheduled to hold talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
India and the US had announced in February a framework for the first phase of their bilateral trade agreement. Subsequent changes in the US tariff regime have, however, led to further negotiations on the proposed pact.