Overview
- An embassy post on X quoted President Trump calling India an "amazing country," an Indo-Pacific strategic partner, and saying the U.S. has a "great friend" in Prime Minister Modi.
- Trump and Modi spoke by phone last week in what Modi described as a warm and engaging call that reviewed progress in ties and regional developments.
- Trade talks remain underway after multiple rounds, including a New Delhi visit by Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Rick Switzer to work on a bilateral deal.
- India’s commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the sides are very close to an initial framework agreement but declined to set a timeline, noting engagement continues beyond formal rounds.
- The negotiations follow U.S. duties lifted to 50% earlier this year, while Indian data showed November shipments to the U.S. rose more than 22% year over year, strengthening New Delhi’s leverage.