Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump, congratulating him on the successful agreement of the first phase of the West Asia peace plan. The talk, which included a review of trade negotiations, comes as the bilateral relationship faces strain due to recently imposed US tariffs on Indian goods.
PM Modi commended the progress in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release deal, which was put forward by the Trump administration and marks the biggest breakthrough in the two-year-old war. Posting on X, the Prime Minister wrote: “Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks.”
Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks. @POTUS @realDonaldTrump
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2025
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister welcomed the Gaza agreement, viewing it as a testament to regional leadership. “We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan. This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu,” Modi said in a separate post on X. He expressed hope that the development would bring relief to the region, adding, “We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace.”
India-US Trade Negotiations Amid Tariff Tensions
The diplomatic exchange between the two leaders occurs amidst rising tensions over trade. Ties between New Delhi and Washington were severely tested after President Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to an unprecedented 50 per cent. This included an initial 25 per cent duty and an additional 25 per cent duty specifically linked to India’s import of Russian crude oil—a move which India had previously described as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”
However, the Prime Minister’s phone conversation with President Trump appeared to pave the way for renewed efforts on a proposed bilateral trade deal. Both nations have since resumed negotiations after a temporary hiatus, although key disagreements, particularly concerning the agriculture and dairy sectors, still persist.
US Lawmakers Urge Trump For ‘Recalibration, Not Confrontation’
In a notable development reflecting the discontent in Washington over the tariffs, a bipartisan group of US Congress members wrote to US President Trump on Wednesday, urging him to “reset and repair” the country’s partnership with India.
The lawmakers, who represent constituencies with large Indian-American populations, stated in their joint letter that “recent actions by your administration have strained relations with the world’s largest democracy, creating negative consequences for both countries.”
They highlighted that the tariff hikes to “as high as 50 per cent” in late August 2025 were “punitive measures” that “have hurt Indian manufacturers while simultaneously raising prices for American consumers and damaging the intricate supply chains that American companies depend on.” The letter stressed the strategic and economic importance of the relationship, noting that the trading partnership “supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries.”
The legislators warned that the tariff escalation could risk pushing India closer to “regimes hostile to the United States, including China and Russia,” thereby undermining Washington’s strategic interests. The letter described India as “a stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific” and “a vital partner in defence cooperation,” especially through its role in the Quad alliance.
They concluded by stressing the importance of shared democratic traditions: “The United States and India share democratic traditions that set us apart from our authoritarian competitors,” demonstrating how “free and open societies can prosper through mutual respect.” The lawmakers urged President Trump to “reaffirm America’s commitment to India,” demanding a “recalibration, not confrontation,” and recommending a review of the current tariff policy.
Doonited Affiliated: Syndicate News Hunt
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