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PM Modi thanks Trump for Diwali wishes; leaders talk trade, Russian oil

PM Modi Trump Call, India-US Relations: In his initial remarks, President Trump wished the people of India a happy Diwali and said he “had a great conversation” with his “great friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi TrumpRussian oil purchases have been a key point of tension in trade talks between Washington and New Delhi. (File Photo)
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PM Modi Trump Diwali Call: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday thanked the United Stated President Donald Trump as he extended his greetings to the people of India and Indian-Americans on the occasion of Diwali over the phone call. The phone call between the two leaders comes at a time when the US-India relationship has hit a rough patch over trade tariffs and other issues.

Here’s what the two leaders exchanged: 

Trump calls Modi a ‘good friend’: US President Donald Trump described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “great friend” as he extended his greetings to the people of India and Indian-Americans on the occasion of Diwali over the phone call. “I just spoke to your prime minister today. We had a great conversation. We talked about trade. We talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade. He’s very interested in that,” he said, addressing the Indian-American community members gathered for the festivities. Describing Modi as “a great person”, Trump said he has become “a great friend of mine over the years”.

Russian oil issue: Trump said Modi assured him that India would limit its purchase of Russian oil, though sources indicated no immediate reduction in imports. Detailing about the conversation with PM Modi, Trump said that energy was also a part of the discussion and reiterated his claim that PM Modi has assured him India would be limiting its oil purchases from Russia. “He’s not going to buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see that war end as much as I do,” Trump had said.

Tariff threat over compliance: The US president has previously warned that massive tariffs on Indian exports could continue if India does not curb its Russian oil purchases. US has imposed additional 25% tariffs on Indian exports to the US, making a cumulative tariff on Indian goods to 50% in order to discourage New Delhi’s crude buying as he seeks to pressure Moscow to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine.

Modi’s response: PM Modi thanked him for the Diwali greetings and tweeted about the enduring India–US partnership. PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to fighting terrorism and promoting international cooperation. “On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to shine hope and stand united against terrorism,” PM Modi said on the social media platform X. The US president said he had also discussed India-Pakistan relations with PM Modi. “We did talk a little while ago about let’s have no wars with Pakistan. The fact that trade was involved, I was able to talk about that. And we have no war with Pakistan and India. That was a very, very good thing,” he said. Trump has been repeating his claim dozens of times that he “helped settle” the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan.

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