PM Modi and Trump emphasized the importance of sustaining momentum in shared trade efforts and addressing common challenges. Modi described the conversation as “warm and engaging” and stressed continued collaboration for global peace and stability.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, Dec 11, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone on Thursday, discussing ways to expand cooperation in trade, critical technologies, energy, defence, and security. The call comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India.
A joint statement said the leaders reviewed progress in the India-US partnership and “underlined the importance of sustaining momentum in shared efforts to enhance bilateral trade.” Both agreed to work closely to address challenges and advance common interests.
The statement highlighted discussions on the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology), which focuses on technology, energy, defence, and security priorities for the 21st century.
PM Modi described the conversation as “warm and engaging” in a post on X, noting that they also reviewed regional and international developments. He did not specifically mention trade.\
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with President of the US, Donald Trump today. Both leaders reviewed the steady progress in India–U.S. bilateral relations and exchanged views on key regional and global developments. Prime Minister Modi and President Trump reiterated that India… pic.twitter.com/YmN7sJaA72
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2025
Timing and Context
India-US ties have been strained since a 25% US penalty on India’s Russian oil imports took effect in August. India has criticized the tariffs as unfair, pointing out that China and the EU remain major buyers of Russian energy.
The call follows Putin’s high-profile visit to India, which included several agreements and highlighted the personal rapport between PM Modi and the Russian president, including when the two leaders carpooled from the airport.
Some US lawmakers have criticized Trump’s approach, saying it has pushed India closer to Russia. Democratic lawmaker Sydney Kamlager-Dove called it “cutting off our nose to spite our face,” citing the Modi-Putin carpool as symbolic of the strategic drift.
Meanwhile, a US delegation is in Delhi for ongoing trade talks. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said discussions are “very good and substantive,” but emphasized that “a deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit” and cautioned against negotiating under deadlines.
