Amid the tariff war between India and the United States, President Donald Trump on Tuesday dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend his birthday wishes.
Trump also expressed his gratitude to Modi for his support to end the Russia – Ukraine conflict.
"Just 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 President wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Modi also took to X to thank Trump for his phone call and said he, like the US leader, was fully committed to taking the India-US comprehensive and global partnership to "new heights".
"Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday," Modi said.
"We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict," he added.
Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. 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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2025
The telephonic conversation between the two leaders has sparked hopes of a reset in bilateral ties that have come under severe strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods.
The US president's call to Modi came on a day India and the US held a fresh round of talks in New Delhi on their proposed bilateral trade agreement.
The relations between India and the US nosedived last month after Trump imposed a 25 per cent punitive tariff, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of cheap Russian oil, taking the total levy on Indian imports to a whopping 50 per cent.
India termed the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".
Also, the provocative statements made by several Trump administration officials, including White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, against India rubbed salt into the wound.
On Tuesday, a US delegation led by Trade Representative Brendan Lynch held talks with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Special Secretary, Rajesh Agrawal, in New Delhi.
The decision to resume the trade talks came after Modi warmly responded to President Trump's remarks last week on efforts to address "trade barriers" between the two sides.
