Ukraine, Birthday Wishes, Spotlight On Ties: 3 Takeaways From PM Modi-Trump Phone Call

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he had a “wonderful” phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which he extended birthday greetings to his “friend” and thanked him for his support on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called the United States a “close friend” and a “natural partner” of India, in response to Donald Trump’s social media post, wherein he had signalled a thaw in the bilateral chill between India and the US.

The call by Donald Trump to PM Modi came at a time when Trump’s 50 per cent tariffs on India have sparked heated debate in both New Delhi and Washington, casting a shadow over bilateral ties.

While Trump and his aides have accused India of funding Moscow’s war machine by

buying Russian oil, the President has refrained from making adverse remarks about PM Modi.

On the contrary, he has repeatedly highlighted his “friendship” with the Indian leader, even as tariff tensions escalated. Against this backdrop, Trump’s birthday call to Modi carries particular significance.

3 TAKEAWAYS FROM THE PM MODI-TRUMP TALKS

UKRAINE

During their phone call, Donald Trump specifically thanked PM Narendra Modi for his support on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

In response, PM Modi posted on X, “Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday.”

“Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict,” he added. 

Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2025

TIES IN FOCUS

Earlier this month, Donald Trump said he “will always be friends with PM Modi”, underlining that India and the United States have a special relationship.

In response, PM Modi had said that he “deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates” the US President’s “positive assessment” of India-America ties, which he described as “very positive and forward-looking”.

Later, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reacted to PM Modi’s response and said that the Prime Minister attaches “enormous importance” to India’s partnership with the United States. He also said that New Delhi “remains engaged” with Washington.

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day before Modi turned 75, and the call is being seen as a significant gesture as part of the US’s efforts to reset ties with India amid strain over tariff issues.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Commerce Ministry had confirmed that the discussions with visiting US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch on the proposed bilateral trade agreement were positive and forward-looking.

“It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” the ministry said in a statement after a day-long meeting with the US officials.

From India’s side, the discussions were led by Rajesh Agarwal, Special Secretary, Department of Commerce.

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