Overview

• At a joint press conference with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Trump said he is “very close” to India and to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after calling to wish him a happy 75th birthday.
• Prime Minister Modi publicly thanked Trump for the call and wrote that India supports the U.S. President’s initiatives for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
• Trump defended doubling duties on many Indian goods to 50%, including a 25% surcharge tied to purchases of Russian crude, framing the tariffs as leverage to pressure Moscow.
• India has maintained that its energy imports are driven by national interest and market conditions, pushing back on U.S. criticism of its Russian oil purchases.
• A USTR delegation led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch met Indian officials in New Delhi on September 16, with both sides saying they will intensify work toward a bilateral trade agreement.