Modi and Trump discuss ties, PM flags concerns about US’ Russia law
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump discussed bilateral trade and defense cooperation during a phone call. The conversation addressed India's concerns regarding new US sanctions on Russian oil procurement that could impose heavy tariffs on Indian imports.
Why it matters
The discussion highlights ongoing friction in US-India relations caused by India's energy policy and the US's legislative approach to Russia-related sanctions.
PM Narendra Modi held a phone call with US President Donald Trump Wednesday to review bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, critical technologies and energy, amid increasing friction in the relationship driven primarily by India’s purchase of Russian oil.Modi is learnt to have touched upon India’s concerns related to the US’ latest Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (SRIA) that allows the president to impose up to 100 percent tariffs on countries like India and China for their procurement of Russian oil.In the run up to the Modi-Trump conversation – their first since they met in France in June – both external affairs minister S Jaishankar and foreign secretary Vikram Misri had flagged the same concerns with American authorities, emphasising the recently enacted SRIA would have consequences for India-US ties.
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2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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