Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended birthday greetings to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and commended his diplomatic efforts toward ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, even as the two countries remain locked in a trade dispute.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described his phone call with Modi as “wonderful” and thanked him for backing efforts to bring an end to the conflict, adding that the Indian leader was doing a “tremendous job.”
Modi, in response, expressed gratitude on X and said he remained committed to elevating US–India ties “to new heights.” He also voiced support for Trump’s push for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine war.
The exchange of pleasantries comes against the backdrop of strained trade relations. Last month, Washington doubled tariffs on most Indian exports to 50 percent, citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude oil. US officials have accused Indian refiners of profiting from discounted Russian supplies and indirectly aiding Moscow’s war effort.
Read More: US, India Signal Trade Thaw as Trump, Modi Plan Talks
Still, both governments have recently sought to dial down tensions. Officials in New Delhi and Washington have reiterated their commitment to continuing talks, with Indian Commerce Ministry officials calling recent discussions with a US delegation “positive and forward looking.”
Brendan Lynch, the US assistant trade representative for South and Central Asia, led the American side in Tuesday’s talks. The two countries agreed to accelerate efforts to finalize what officials described as a “mutually beneficial” trade pact.
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India, despite being among the earliest countries to launch trade negotiations with Washington, has yet to secure a deal that would ease tariff pressures. Exporters warn the increased duties are already leading to canceled orders and threatening jobs across key sectors.
