Overview

• At a Chequers news conference with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Trump said he is "very close" to India and to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting a birthday call earlier in the week.
• Trump defended doubling tariffs on many Indian goods to 50%, including an additional 25% levy tied to India's purchases of Russian crude.
• India says its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics, pushing back on criticism of Russian oil imports.
• India's Commerce Ministry said a USTR team led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch met officials in New Delhi on September 16 to map next steps toward a bilateral trade agreement.
• Trump repeated a claim that U.S. intervention helped de-escalate an India–Pakistan face-off earlier this year, a characterization Indian officials dispute.