Overview
- Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and confirmed the two leaders speak pretty frequently.
- Leavitt said the President and his trade team are in very serious discussions with New Delhi on trade, citing a recent Diwali call between the leaders at the Oval Office.
- One outlet reported that five rounds for the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement have been completed, though neither government has formally detailed the timeline.
- Ties remain strained after Washington raised overall tariffs on Indian imports to about 50 percent in August in response to India’s purchases of Russian crude.
- Indian officials maintain energy procurement is guided by national interest and consumer welfare, as opposition leaders press Modi to publicly acknowledge the frequent contacts.