In first phone conversation since US enacted law that authorises tariffs up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas including India and China, PM Modi and President Trump agreed to maintain close engagement for benefit of both countries.
Read more - The Twin Squeeze
PMO said productive conversation. Shubhajit Roy reports they reviewed bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, energy, critical technologies. They exchanged views on regional issues to advance global peace.
Backdrop tense. Trump's tariff law hits India's 35% Russian oil basket. India-US Strategic Partnership strained since July. India says energy security non-negotiable but reduced spot buying. US also wants more defence buys - MQ-9B, P-8I - while India wants GE-414 engine tech transfer under iCET.
Read more - US-India Strategic Pact: Landmark Defence & Tech Deal Finalized
Modi expected to travel for G20 leaders summit in France December, face-to-face likely. Secretary Marco Rubio expected India third week October. For India, messaging is keep trade separate from strategic autonomy, and show productive conversation can still happen despite tariff weapon.
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