Modi, Trump Speak as U.S.–India Trade Talks Gain Traction

Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump held a Dec. 11 phone call that reviewed bilateral ties and covered trade, energy, defence, security and implementation of the India–U.S. COMPACT, according to official posts and people familiar with the discussion.
• U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor said Modi reiterated support for Trump’s efforts to secure peace in Ukraine during the conversation.
• A U.S. trade delegation led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer met Indian officials in New Delhi from Dec. 10–12 to address tariff and market‑access issues.
• U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described India’s latest market‑access proposal as the best the United States has received, while Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged Washington to finalize an agreement if satisfied with the offer.
• Tariffs of up to 50% on certain Indian exports remain in place, with Washington linking them to India’s past Russian oil purchases, and an earlier Trump claim of an Indian assurance to halt such purchases was publicly denied by India’s foreign ministry.