President Donald Trump called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to wish him a happy birthday after weeks of tension on commercial prices.
The telephone call on Wednesday, one day before Modi was 75 years old, is considered a sign of thaw of links and followed the talks between the two parties to reach a trade agreement, which the two parties called “positive”.
Trump later posted X saying that Modi was doing a “great work” and thanked it for the support of “ending the Russian-Ukraine war”. Modi called him a “friend” and said that the two were “committed” to adopt their partnership with new heights.
This was the first call between the two since the United States imposed punishing prices on India last month for the purchase of Russian oil.
Trump said that half of the 50% price was a penalty for the purchase of Russian oil and weapons Delhi. India defended its decision, citing inner energy needs and qualified “unjust” prices.
The exchange of net words between the two parties saw negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement stopped.
On Tuesday, a team led by American commercial negotiator Brendan Lynch had interviews in Delhi with officials from the Ministry of Indian Commerce.
India exports to the United States fell to $ 6.86 billion (5.03 billion pounds sterling) in August from $ 8.01 billion (5.87 billion pounds sterling) in July, Reuters said data from the Indian Trade Ministry.
Tuesday’s meeting between Indian and American trade officials did not mark the start of the next series of commercial negotiations, said Delhi, but a “discussion” on “trying to see” how an agreement can be concluded.
While Trump expressed his optimism about commercial negotiations with India, he also did not decide on the high prices imposed in the country.
Last week, the American president called on the European Union to strike China and India with prices up to 100% to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
The comments came as well as India said that it was about to finalize large parts of its free trade agreement with the EU.
The same week, Trump also wrote on social networks that the United States and India “pursued negotiations to fight against trade barriers” and that he expected a “successful conclusion” to their commercial talks.
In response, Modi had echoed Trump’s optimism according to which the talks have succeeded and said that the two countries were “close friends and natural partners”.
“Our teams are working to conclude these discussions as soon as possible. I also look forward to talking with President Trump,” he added.
Earlier this month, Trump highlighted the “special relationship” between India and the United States, saying “that there is nothing to fear. We just have times on occasion”.
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