Kumar Bahukhandi
Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs – Photo: ANI
Currently, relations between India and the US are not very good due to issues surrounding tariffs and free trade agreements. Against this backdrop, when questions arose regarding support and cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified the Indian government’s position. The ministry stated that Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump spoke on the phone eight times in 2025.
Amidst the ongoing tensions over tariffs in India-US relations, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified its position on Thursday. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had spoken on the phone eight times in 2025. These conversations took place at a time when there was friction between India and the US over free trade agreements (FTAs) and tariff issues.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing that India and the United States have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement since February 13, 2025. Several rounds of meetings have followed, and on multiple occasions, both sides have come close to reaching an agreement. Jaiswal stated that these discussions have been misrepresented in media reports.
PM Modi and Trump held several conversations
Jaiswal further stated that PM Modi and Trump spoke on the phone eight times in 2025, discussing broad cooperation and trade issues between the two countries. The relationship between the two leaders has been friendly and respectful. Jaiswal also said that India is keen on a balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement and will continue its efforts to achieve this.
What did the US Commerce Secretary say?
It’s worth noting that Jaiswal’s statement comes after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that the India-US trade agreement fell through because Prime Minister Modi did not call President Trump. Lutnick said he had requested PM Modi to speak with Trump so that the agreement could be finalized. However, India was hesitant, and therefore Modi did not make the call.
During this time, Lutnick also said that the US had previously signed trade agreements with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and he had hoped that an agreement with India would be reached even sooner. He said the agreements became a bit more expensive, and then India said, “Now we are ready.” I said, “Ready for what?”
PM Modi-Trump relations are respectful – MEA
Jaiswal also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump have always had friendly and respectful relations. He stated that India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement since February of last year. Several rounds of talks have taken place, and both sides have come closer to a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. Jaiswal emphasized that India is keen on a balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement.
Ministry of External Affairs responds to claims of 500% tariff
Earlier, when US Senator Lindsey Graham said that President Donald Trump had given the green light to a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, the Ministry of External Affairs also commented on the matter. This bill would allow the US to pressure countries like India, China, and Brazil, which are financially supporting Putin’s war machine by purchasing cheap Russian oil. The bill includes a provision for imposing a 500 percent tariff on all goods and services imported from Russia. Jaiswal also reacted to this.
He said that New Delhi is aware of this bill and is closely monitoring it. He stated, “We are aware of this proposed bill and are keeping a close watch on the situation. India’s energy decisions are always guided by energy security and global market conditions.” It is noteworthy that Jaiswal was referring to the bill introduced in the US House of Representatives. This bill proposes a 500 percent tariff on countries that continue to buy oil from Russia. Following this, India said on Friday that it makes its decisions keeping in mind the need to ensure affordable and secure energy for its 1.4 billion people.
