PM Modi, President Trump Discuss Bilateral Ties and Ukraine in Birthday Phone Call

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone on Tuesday, discussing bilateral relations and efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The call coincided with Modi’s 75th birthday and marked their first conversation in nearly three months, following tensions over US tariff measures on Indian goods.

The leaders’ discussion came shortly after senior trade negotiators from both nations met in New Delhi, where talks were described as “positive” and “forward-looking” by officials on both sides.

“Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday,” Modi wrote on social media. “Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”

Trump echoed the sentiment in a post of his own, saying, “I had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine!”

The two leaders last spoke on June 17 after failing to meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada. Weeks later, ties were strained when Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports, along with a 25% punitive levy linked to India’s purchases of Russian energy. The US had also criticised New Delhi for what it described as indirectly supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.

India, however, has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict, with Modi engaging both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in recent months to push for peace.

Recent exchanges between Modi and Trump on social media signalled a thaw in relations ahead of Tuesday’s phone call. Meanwhile, trade talks in New Delhi brought cautious optimism, with US chief negotiator Brendan Lynch meeting his Indian counterpart Rajesh Agrawal.

A joint statement noted the “enduring importance of bilateral trade” and confirmed that discussions covered key aspects of a proposed trade agreement. Both sides agreed to “intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade deal,” according to the Indian commerce ministry.

The US embassy also described the discussions as “positive” and forward-looking.

Modi, in a separate message on September 10, had expressed optimism about concluding a trade pact, responding to Trump’s assurance that the negotiations would not face major hurdles.