Overview
- U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a deal fell through because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not call President Donald Trump, describing a short deadline and a "staircase" approach to terms.
- Lutnick said India had "three Fridays" to close and that the U.S. then moved on to announce deals with Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, with earlier terms no longer on offer.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the account "not accurate," noting eight Modi–Trump phone conversations in 2025 and multiple negotiation rounds toward a balanced agreement.
- Talks have not resolved the combined 50% U.S. tariff on many Indian goods, including a 25% levy tied to purchases of Russian oil, and a proposed U.S. bill could permit much higher duties.
- Indian analysts, including GTRI, argued the impasse stems from unresolved policy differences across sectors rather than a missed leader-level call.