India US relations 2025: Day after Trump hints at trade deal, India says talks ‘continuing’

#WATCH | Delhi | On India-US trade talks, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We continue to remain engaged with the US side to conclude a trade deal, and these discussions are continuing…” pic.twitter.com/WbhF4syjWW

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

This comes as Indian exports to the US face 50 per cent tariffs, 25 per cent as reciprocal duties and another 25 per cent as a penalty linked to New Delhi’s crude oil imports from Russia. A thaw has been seen in India-US relations after Trump’s repeated public claims of his role in a ceasefire between India and Pakistan had led to some tensions.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday hinted at a trade deal between the two countries.

“If you look at India and Pakistan … so, I’m doing a trade deal with India and I have great respect and love, as you know, for Prime Minister Modi, we have a great relationship…Prime Minister Modi is the nicest looking guy … he looks like you’d like to have your father like… he’s a killer… he’s tough as hell,” Trump had said ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

India-US relations

New Delhi, which earlier publicly refuted claims of a third-party role in ceasefire with Pakistan, has in recent months avoided direct responses, focusing instead on concluding the trade agreement with the US. The last strong rebuttal came in June following a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump.

Although relations saw a downturn after Trump sought greater concessions and introduced additional penalties on India’s oil purchases from Russia, diplomatic sources indicate that ties have warmed recently. Modi and Trump have spoken at least three times since September, including once when the US President extended birthday wishes to the Indian leader on his 75th birthday.