Modi, Trump hold third call as India seeks relief from 50% US tariffs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke with US President Donald Trump by phone on Thursday, marking their third conversation since Washington raised tariffs on some Indian exports to 50% in response to New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases.

“We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments,” Modi said in a post on X.

A White House official confirmed the call but provided no details of the discussion.

Modi and Trump have spoken three times since the US move to double tariffs on imports from India, affecting key exports including textiles, chemicals and food items such as shrimp. Modi described the latest conversation as “warm and engaging” and said both countries would continue working together for global peace, stability and prosperity.

Trade negotiations collapsed in late July after India resisted opening its market to US farm products and declined to acknowledge Trump’s role in mediating during an India-Pakistan conflict. Talks have continued, with signs that Indian refiners are reducing Russian oil purchases following US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil LKOH.MM aimed at pressuring Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer met Indian officials in New Delhi this week during a two-day visit, as India seeks relief from the punitive tariffs imposed by Washington over its Russian oil imports. The US Trade Representative’s office had no immediate comment on those meetings.

It remained unclear whether a trade agreement could be finalised before the end of the year, an administration official said on condition of anonymity.

Ryan Majerus, a former senior US Commerce Department official now with the King & Spalding law firm, said he expected an agreement to eventually be reached with India because of its growing role in the global economy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi last week on a state visit, offering India uninterrupted fuel supplies and challenging US pressure urging India to limit Russian fuel imports.

Indian government data showed exports to the US fell nearly 9% year-on-year in October to $6.31 billion from $6.91 billion a year earlier, though the figure was higher than $5.47 billion in September.

Washington continues to push India to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US goods and allow greater access for American farm products, including soybean and grain sorghum.