PM Modi, Trump Discuss Global Strategic Partnership Amid Trade Talks, SRIA Concerns

PM Modi and Trump's call comes as India raises concerns over new US sanctions legislation affecting energy imports

September 30, 2026

Call comes as India raises concerns over the US's Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act and its energy security implications

Leaders reaffirm Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, discuss trade, defence, energy and critical technologies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump by telephone on Wednesday, with the two leaders reviewing progress in bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, energy and critical technologies, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The PMO said the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and agreed to maintain close engagement to deepen cooperation for the benefit of both countries. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including ongoing efforts to promote global peace and security.

“Productive conversation,” PM Modi says

In a post on X, Modi described the call in similar terms. “Had a productive conversation with President Trump. We reviewed our bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and other areas. We agreed to maintain close engagement to take our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership forward. We also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including ongoing efforts to advance global peace and security,” he said.

Trade talks moving closer to a deal

The call comes as India and the US continue working to finalise a bilateral trade agreement. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during a recent visit to the US, said the two sides have moved closer to an understanding, though the process has proven more complex than initially expected. “Expectation that it could rapidly move forward, I think, was tested against a ground reality which was much more complex. So, today, I think we have reached a situation where there is more or less an understanding on the trade agreement,” he said.

Jaishankar also flagged the US’s ongoing Section 301 process as a live issue in the negotiations. Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 allows the US Trade Representative to investigate foreign trade practices it deems unfair and to impose retaliatory tariffs. “The 301 process is still in the works; it’s still unfolding. So the issue for us is at what point do you close out an agreement which is very, very far advanced,” Jaishankar said.

Concerns over sanctions legislation

The conversation also comes against the backdrop of India’s concerns over the recently passed Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA), which empowers the Trump administration to impose tariffs on Moscow and its major energy buyers, including India and China. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said the country remains committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing based on market dynamics, and has raised the issue’s implications — for both the bilateral relationship and international energy markets — with US interlocutors at senior levels. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has separately conveyed India’s concerns over the legislation directly to a visiting US Congressional delegation.

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