Leaders extend Deepavali greetings over phone; while U.S. President says Mr. Modi conveyed decision to stop buying Russian oil and discussed India-Pakistan peace, India denies Pakistan was discussed
Days ahead of a possible meeting in Kuala Lumpur, and amidst intense ongoing trade negotiations, United States President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (October 21, 2025) to extend Deepavali greetings, the leaders said. However, both sides vastly differed in their comments following the call.
PM Modi referred to a united stance on terrorism, while President Trump said the conversation focused on the trade deal, Russian oil and ensuring “no war with Pakistan”.
For the fourth time in a week, Mr. Trump said that Mr. Modi had conveyed the government’s decision to cuts its imports of Russian oil in an effort to end the Ukraine conflict, a claim he asserted in Indian Ambassador to Washington Vinay Kwatra’s presence, which was not refuted. Pakistan had not been discussed during the call, government sources said.
Trump says he discussed trade with PM Modi
“I just spoke to your prime minister today,” Mr. Trump said on Tuesday (October 21/=), addressing the “people of India” directly in comments at the White House where he held a special Deepavali celebration for prominent Indian-Americans and Indian Embassy officials. “We had a great conversation. We talked about trade. We talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade. He’s very interested in that,” he added.
A few hours later, Prime Minister Modi thanked President Trump for the phone call and “warm Diwali greetings”. “On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms,” he said, without any further details.
The MEA did not comment on the discussion between the two leaders, who are both due to travel to Malaysia this weekend to attend ASEAN-related summits, including the East Asia Summit together. The MEA has thus far declined to confirm that PM Modi will be visiting Kuala Lumpur for the summits, as well as the annual India-ASEAN Summit.
While side-stepping Mr. Trump’s other comments, a government source pointedly denied that Mr. Trump and Mr. Modi had spoken about Pakistan, a sore point as the U.S. President has repeatedly claimed he mediated the India-Pakistan ceasefire despite India’s denials.
Mr. Trump also said that he had spoken to Mr. Modi earlier about “having no wars with Pakistan,” suggesting again that he had used trade as a leverage to “talk [PM Modi] out of that”
On India-Russia oil trade
Addressing the question of India’s imports of Russian oil, which has led to the U.S. doubling its tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50%, Mr. Trump said that he believed India had already reduced its intake.
“[Mr. Modi] wants to see that war end as much as with Russia and Ukraine as much as I do. And as you know, they’re not going to be buying too much oil. So, they’ve got it way back, and they’re continuing to cut it way back,” Mr. Trump said.
The government has not explicitly denied that it is reducing Russian oil imports, although the MEA said that the government would make decisions based on consumer prices and supply reliability. Trade negotiators are believed to be speaking to their U.S. counterparts about a broader Free Trade agreement (FTA)which would include lowering US.. tariffs, while India would also cut tariffs, increase market access for US agricultural and other products, and give up its Russian oil imports.
It remains to be seen that such a deal, that is agreeable to both sides can be hammered out in time for an announcement of some sort on the side-lines of the ASEAN summits October 26-28.
Modi, Trump speak; U.S., India call accounts differ
Leaders extend Deepavali greetings over phone; while U.S. President says Mr. Modi conveyed decision to stop buying Russian oil and discussed India-Pakistan peace, India denies Pakistan was discussed
Days ahead of a possible meeting in Kuala Lumpur, and amidst intense ongoing trade negotiations, United States President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (October 21, 2025) to extend Deepavali greetings, the leaders said. However, both sides vastly differed in their comments following the call.
PM Modi referred to a united stance on terrorism, while President Trump said the conversation focused on the trade deal, Russian oil and ensuring “no war with Pakistan”.
For the fourth time in a week, Mr. Trump said that Mr. Modi had conveyed the government’s decision to cuts its imports of Russian oil in an effort to end the Ukraine conflict, a claim he asserted in Indian Ambassador to Washington Vinay Kwatra’s presence, which was not refuted. Pakistan had not been discussed during the call, government sources said.
Trump says he discussed trade with PM Modi
“I just spoke to your prime minister today,” Mr. Trump said on Tuesday (October 21/=), addressing the “people of India” directly in comments at the White House where he held a special Deepavali celebration for prominent Indian-Americans and Indian Embassy officials. “We had a great conversation. We talked about trade. We talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade. He’s very interested in that,” he added.
A few hours later, Prime Minister Modi thanked President Trump for the phone call and “warm Diwali greetings”. “On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms,” he said, without any further details.
The MEA did not comment on the discussion between the two leaders, who are both due to travel to Malaysia this weekend to attend ASEAN-related summits, including the East Asia Summit together. The MEA has thus far declined to confirm that PM Modi will be visiting Kuala Lumpur for the summits, as well as the annual India-ASEAN Summit.
While side-stepping Mr. Trump’s other comments, a government source pointedly denied that Mr. Trump and Mr. Modi had spoken about Pakistan, a sore point as the U.S. President has repeatedly claimed he mediated the India-Pakistan ceasefire despite India’s denials.
Mr. Trump also said that he had spoken to Mr. Modi earlier about “having no wars with Pakistan,” suggesting again that he had used trade as a leverage to “talk [PM Modi] out of that”
On India-Russia oil trade
Addressing the question of India’s imports of Russian oil, which has led to the U.S. doubling its tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50%, Mr. Trump said that he believed India had already reduced its intake.
“[Mr. Modi] wants to see that war end as much as with Russia and Ukraine as much as I do. And as you know, they’re not going to be buying too much oil. So, they’ve got it way back, and they’re continuing to cut it way back,” Mr. Trump said.
The government has not explicitly denied that it is reducing Russian oil imports, although the MEA said that the government would make decisions based on consumer prices and supply reliability. Trade negotiators are believed to be speaking to their U.S. counterparts about a broader Free Trade agreement (FTA)which would include lowering US.. tariffs, while India would also cut tariffs, increase market access for US agricultural and other products, and give up its Russian oil imports.
It remains to be seen that such a deal, that is agreeable to both sides can be hammered out in time for an announcement of some sort on the side-lines of the ASEAN summits October 26-28.
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