US-India Relations Improving: Trump Maintains Regular Contact With PM Modi Amid Ongoing Trade Negotiations

The White House confirmed on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintain frequent communication, while trade negotiations between the two nations continue to progress.

"The president and his trade team continue to be engaged in very serious discussions with India," stated White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt during a press briefing. "I know the president has great respect for Prime Minister Modi, and they communicate with each other quite regularly."

During his visit to South Korea last week, President Trump expressed his desire to establish a trade agreement with India. This statement indicates a potential improvement in bilateral relations, which had deteriorated significantly after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50% as a response to India's purchases of Russian oil.

In a related development, Indian refineries have reduced their imports of Russian oil following Washington's recent imposition of sanctions on Russia's leading crude exporters, Rosneft and Lukoil.