The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump eight times during 2025, amid ongoing discussions and occasional strains in India-U.S. bilateral ties, particularly over trade issues including the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and tariff-related matters.
The MEA's statement came in response to recent remarks by Howard Lutnick, who has been closely associated with the incoming Trump administration's economic team. While the MEA clarification was not a direct rebuttal to Lutnick's specific claims that FTA negotiations had stalled, it appeared to address the broader narrative surrounding the pace and status of India-U.S. trade talks.
Official sources indicated that the eight conversations between Modi and Trump throughout 2025 covered a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. These included strategic partnership matters, defense cooperation, technology transfers, and economic engagement. The MEA emphasized that regular high-level dialogue has been a hallmark of the India-U.S. relationship, even as both sides continue to work through complex trade differences.
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Trade negotiations between India and the United States have remained a focal point of discussion, with differing priorities on market access, tariffs, and non-tariff barriers. While progress has been made in certain sectors, a comprehensive FTA remains under deliberation, with both countries aiming for a balanced and mutually beneficial outcome.
The MEA's disclosure of the eight Modi-Trump interactions in 2025 serves to underline the continuity and strength of leadership-level engagement between the two nations, even as technical-level talks on trade continue. No further details were provided on the specific dates or agendas of these conversations.
The statement reflects India's consistent position of maintaining robust communication channels with the United States, regardless of evolving dynamics in the global economic landscape. Further updates on the India-U.S. trade dialogue are expected as both administrations settle into their respective priorities in the new year.
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