Amid ongoing trade discussions, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a phone call on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, during which they exchanged warm birthday greetings and discussed matters of mutual interest. The call occurred as trade officials from both nations convened in New Delhi to continue negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Trump for the birthday wishes and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the comprehensive and global partnership between India and the United States. He also conveyed India's support for President Trump's initiatives aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

President Trump, in turn, praised Prime Minister Modi for doing a "tremendous job" and thanked him for his support in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. He described his call with Modi as "wonderful" in a social media post.

The exchange of goodwill occurred against the backdrop of ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries. A U.S. team, headed by Brendan Lynch, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, met with Indian officials in New Delhi to discuss the India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement. The Indian side was led by Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce.

Both sides acknowledged the "enduring importance of bilateral trade" and described the discussions as "positive and forward-looking". They covered various aspects of the trade deal and agreed to intensify efforts to reach a mutually beneficial agreement at an early date.

Ties between New Delhi and Washington have experienced some tension recently after the U.S. raised tariffs on most Indian exports to 50% in retaliation for India's continued purchases of Russian oil. The White House has alleged that Indian oil refiners are profiting from these purchases, which are helping to finance Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Despite these disagreements, leaders from both countries have recently offered more conciliatory public statements, signaling their commitment to continuing trade negotiations. However, experts believe that reaching a trade deal will require tough negotiations, especially regarding the tariffs imposed on Indian goods. Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative noted that any progress hinges on Washington rolling back the oil-linked 25% duty, stating that without that, no breakthrough is politically or economically viable.

The phone call between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, coupled with the ongoing trade talks, suggests a desire from both sides to maintain a strong bilateral relationship and work towards resolving trade disputes. The leaders look forward to future cooperation, aiming to elevate their partnership to new heights.