Putin’s visit to New Delhi saw Russia offer uninterrupted fuel supplies while pushing back against US pressure on India
US President Donald Trump shows the card that reads USA during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup being held in the US, Canada and Mexico at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on December 5, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday he spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump, as New Delhi continues to push for relief from punitive 50 percent US tariffs imposed on some of India’s key exports in response to oil purchases from Russia.
“We reviewed progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments,” Modi said in a post on X. A White House official confirmed the call but did not elaborate.
He had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity.…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2025
The two leaders have now spoken three times since Washington doubled tariffs on Indian imports — up to 50 percent — affecting textiles, chemicals and food, including shrimp. Modi described his latest conversation with Trump as “warm and engaging,” adding that both sides would continue to work together for “world peace, stability and prosperity.”
Trade talks collapsed in late July after India resisted opening its markets to US farm products and refused to recognize Trump’s mediation efforts during an India-Pakistan conflict. However, negotiations continued, amid indications that Indian refiners are cutting oil purchases from Russia following US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil.
Acting US Trade Representative Rick Switzer held meetings in New Delhi this week as India renewed efforts to secure tariff relief. The US Trade Representative’s office did not comment on the discussions. A US government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it remained unclear whether a deal could be finalized before the end of the year.
Ryan Majerus, a former senior US Commerce Department official now with King & Spalding, said he expected an eventual deal given India’s weight in the global economy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi last week, offering uninterrupted fuel supplies and questioning US pressure on India to curb Russian energy imports.
Indian exports to the United States fell nearly 9 percent year-on-year in October to $6.31 billion from $6.91 billion, though slightly higher than September’s $5.47 billion, Indian government data showed. Meanwhile, Washington is pressing India to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US products and open its market to US agricultural exports, including soybeans and sorghum.
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