Kumar Bahukhandi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI)
Chinese President Xi Jinping was also in the United States from September 23 to 25 and had bilateral talks with Trump.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to United States President Donald Trump about bilateral cooperation, including trade, defence and energy, amid uncertainty over the possibility of American tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India for buying Russian oil.
The conversation took place as the two countries have yet to conclude a bilateral trade agreement. “Had a productive conversation with President Trump. We reviewed our bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and other areas.
We agreed to maintain close engagement to take our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership forward. We also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including ongoing efforts to advance global peace and security,” Modi posted on X.
New Delhi said the leaders agreed to maintain close engagement to deepen cooperation for the benefit of both countries’ people.
On Tuesday, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said at an event in New York that “politics should not be played over oil supplies” when the focus should be on maintaining the stability of global energy supplies and prices.
His remarks came amid the possibility of US sanctions against countries buying Russian oil.
Less than two weeks ago, the US Congress passed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA), empowering President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries such as India and China that purchase Russian oil. Trump subsequently signed it into law.
New Delhi indicated that imposing such tariffs could affect bilateral relations and severely disrupt global oil markets.
A week ago, Jaishankar raised India’s concerns with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
“Good to meet @SecRubio of the US #UNHighLevelWeek. Reiterated India’s interests and concerns with regard to SRIA. Also discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations,” he posted on X.
The US State Department said the ministers “also discussed sanctions that could be leveled against states that engage economically with Russia and Iran”.
Rubio said the United States remained well positioned to help regional partners address their energy security challenges, according to the department.
Asked on Tuesday what could strengthen India’s ties with the Trump administration, Jaishankar cited a bilateral trade agreement and greater understanding of India’s concerns about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
The latter remarks came against the backdrop of close ties between the Trump administration and Pakistan’s military establishment.
