New Delhi, January 9, 2026: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump spoke eight times over the course of 2025, emphasizing that high-level communication between the two leaders had been frequent and constructive. The remarks come in response to comments by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who recently claimed that stalled negotiations on a US-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were due to the Indian Prime Minister not calling President Trump. While the MEA’s clarification was not issued as a direct rebuttal, it appeared to address these claims and provide an accurate picture of ongoing bilateral trade discussions.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the matter during a media briefing, noting that India and the US had been engaged in sustained efforts to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement since early 2025. “We have seen the remarks. India and the US were committed to negotiating a bilateral trade agreement as far back as February 13, 2025. Since then, the two sides have held multiple rounds of negotiations to arrive at a balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement. On several occasions, we have been close to a deal. The characterization of these discussions in the reported remarks is not accurate,” Jaiswal stated.

He further elaborated on the extensive communication between the leaders, underscoring that Modi and Trump had discussed various aspects of the India-US partnership throughout the year. “We remain interested in a mutually beneficial trade deal between the two complementary economies. We look forward to concluding it. Incidentally, Prime Minister and President Trump have also spoken on the phone on eight occasions during 2025, covering different aspects of our wide-ranging partnership,” Jaiswal clarified.

The MEA also highlighted the friendly nature of the relationship between the two leaders, emphasizing that communications had always been conducted with mutual respect, in accordance with diplomatic norms. “Prime Minister and President Trump have a friendly relationship and have always addressed each other with mutual respect,” Jaiswal added.

What Howard Lutnick Claimed

The controversy began with comments made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during an interview on the popular ‘All In’ podcast with venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya. Lutnick suggested that the US-India FTA had stalled because PM Modi did not personally call President Trump to close the deal. He explained that he had requested the Prime Minister to initiate such a call, but India had reportedly been “uncomfortable” doing so.

“We did Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and we announced a whole bunch of deals. So we did these whole bunch of deals… because we negotiated them and assumed India was going to be done before them, I have negotiated them at a higher rate,” Lutnick said. He added, “So now the problem is the deals came out at a higher rate. And then India calls back and says, ‘Oh, okay, we are ready’. I said, Ready for what?”

Lutnick’s remarks implied that the Indian leadership’s hesitation in making direct contact with Trump had delayed the finalization of the trade agreement, an assertion the MEA sought to clarify by pointing to multiple interactions between Modi and Trump in 2025.

The Context of US-India Trade Negotiations

The discussion around a US-India FTA has been ongoing for years, shaped by tariff disputes, market access concerns, and strategic economic considerations. The US has long sought a trade agreement with India to facilitate greater market access for American goods and services, while India has emphasized the importance of ensuring that any deal protects domestic industries and addresses the needs of its 1.4 billion population.

Throughout 2025, several rounds of bilateral negotiations were conducted, focusing on reducing tariffs, improving market access, and harmonizing trade standards. Despite progress in technical discussions, the deal has remained incomplete, partly due to differences over tariff levels, energy imports, and intellectual property protections.

MEA spokesperson Jaiswal reiterated that India remains committed to a fair and balanced agreement, which will benefit both economies. “As far as trade negotiations are concerned, India’s approach is guided by its economic priorities, global market conditions, and the need to secure mutually beneficial outcomes,” he said.

Ongoing Strains and Diplomatic Engagement

While the bilateral trade discussions have seen progress, 2025 also witnessed tensions between India and the US over tariffs on Indian goods and energy imports, particularly related to Russian oil. The US had raised tariffs on Indian goods in August 2025, prompting concerns in New Delhi about potential trade disruptions. The situation was further complicated by the proposed bipartisan Russia sanctions bill in the US Congress, which envisages steep tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, including India.

Amid these challenges, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump maintained consistent communication, with eight phone calls throughout the year covering trade, energy, and strategic issues. The MEA emphasized that these interactions underscore the active engagement and high-level coordination that continues to define the India-US partnership.

Importance of a Mutually Beneficial Agreement

India has consistently highlighted the need for any FTA to balance commercial benefits with domestic policy objectives. The country’s strategy focuses on ensuring affordable energy, safeguarding domestic manufacturing, and maintaining fair access for Indian exporters to US markets. The MEA’s statement reinforced that these considerations were central to India’s negotiating stance and that communications between Modi and Trump were intended to advance these objectives.

The MEA also emphasized that the FTA discussions are ongoing, with multiple rounds of technical consultations and bilateral talks aimed at resolving outstanding differences. The goal, according to the ministry, is a comprehensive and sustainable trade agreement that strengthens economic ties while respecting the interests of both nations.

Looking Ahead

While Lutnick’s remarks have drawn attention, the MEA clarified that the narrative suggesting India’s unwillingness to engage with the US at the leadership level is inaccurate. The eight phone calls between Modi and Trump in 2025 illustrate a robust and sustained dialogue across multiple areas, from trade to strategic cooperation.

India continues to stress that any trade agreement must be mutually beneficial, equitable, and supportive of long-term economic development. The MEA reaffirmed that New Delhi remains committed to concluding a deal that respects India’s developmental priorities while fostering closer commercial and strategic ties with the United States.

In conclusion, the MEA’s clarification serves as a reminder that high-level engagement between India and the US remains frequent and substantive, and that the Free Trade Agreement, while complex, continues to be a key objective for both sides. With ongoing negotiations and consistent communication between the leaders, the path toward a balanced and mutually beneficial trade deal remains active, despite external commentary suggesting otherwise.

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