US President Donald Trump spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone and wished him a happy Diwali. During this conversation, the Prime Minister said that he hopes that both India and America will continue to show a ray of hope to the world and remain united against terrorism.
This call has been made by US President Donald Trump at a time when Trump had claimed a few days ago that Prime Minister Modi had told him that India will stop buying crude oil from Russia. After Trump’s comment, India said that no such talks have taken place.
Prime Minister Modi said in a post on the social media platform ‘X’ on Wednesday, “President Trump, thank you for your call and wishes for Diwali. On this festival of lights, may both the great democracies show a ray of hope to the world and remain united against terrorism in all its forms.
This is the third phone conversation between Modi and Trump since September 16 that has been publicly reported. The phone conversation between the two leaders came at a time when US-India relations are at loggerheads over trade tariffs and other issues, including the 25 percent tariff imposed by the US on India’s purchases of Russian oil.
Trump hosted a Diwali celebration on Tuesday night that was attended by India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra and several prominent Indian-origin business leaders.
In his address at the ceremony, Trump again reiterated his claim that India will not buy crude oil from Russia.
The US President described Prime Minister Modi as a “great leader” and “friend” and also mentioned his trade-centric diplomacy to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan.
Relations between India and America are under strain after Trump imposed 50 percent tariff on India.
India has described the US action as “unfair, opaque and imprudent”.
US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gore had met Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi two weeks ago. After the meeting, Gore had said that America “values” its relations with India.
Gore met Foreign Minister S. Also spoke to Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
