Desk : US President Donald Trump has once again spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone. The conversation took place at a time when trade-related tensions continue between India and the United States. US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, confirmed the call through a post on social media platform X. However, he did not disclose the details of the discussion between the two leaders.
This phone call is being seen as part of the ongoing high-level engagement between India and the US. Significantly, the conversation happened on the same day External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began his three-day visit to Washington. The last phone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump took place on December 10 last year, during which tariff-related issues were discussed. Amid the ongoing trade dispute, this is considered the third phone interaction between the two leaders.
Expectations from Jaishankar’s US visit
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar left for the United States on Monday to attend a ministerial meeting on critical minerals supply chains being hosted under Washington’s leadership. His visit is being viewed as an important opportunity to stabilise and improve relations between the two strategic partners following a period of sharp strain.
Key meetings on the agenda
During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will take place from February 2 to February 5. Jaishankar will participate in the “Critical Minerals Ministerial” meeting convened by Secretary Rubio, which will focus on supply chain resilience, clean energy transition, and strategic cooperation in the critical minerals sector. The ministry also said that the External Affairs Minister will meet senior members of the US administration during the trip.
Trade tensions remain a major challenge
India–US relations have come under strain after the Trump administration imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. This includes an additional 25 per cent levy linked to India’s purchase of crude oil from Russia. Besides trade issues, President Trump’s claims regarding the end of military hostilities between India and Pakistan in May, the US’s new immigration policy, and several other concerns have also impacted bilateral ties.