President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi could speak over the phone soon, breaking the ice in the relations since June 17, when they spoke last for 35 minutes in a tense phone call. Both
leaders on Wednesday said they looked forward to speaking to each other, which may open the possibility of a meeting.
“I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks,” Trump said on Wednesday. Modi responded immediately on social media, saying: “I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people.” Both leaders also said trade negotiations between the countries are ongoing and should be concluded soon without any difficulties. This means the US trade negotiating team, which put off its August 25 visit, could visit soon.
Top government sources had told CNN-News18 earlier this week that there is a possibility that a phone call between PM Modi and Trump would soon happen over the scheduling of the QUAD summit and to discuss the upcoming UNGA Summit in New York. This phone call could give a chance to both leaders to speak on other pressing issues too, like the progress of the India-US trade deal that could take away the pain of the tariffs and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, CNN-News18 reported on September 8. The 50 per cent tariffs imposed on India by the US in August are a major pain point in the relationship.
If a thaw is achieved over a phone call, the possibility of a meeting between both the leaders would open up. PM Modi, so far, is not travelling to the US this month for the UNGA meeting in the last week of September. Malaysia in October could well be the venue where Trump and Modi finally meet.
President Trump plans to attend a leaders’ meeting of the ASEAN in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, according to the prime minister of host nation Malaysia. PM Modi will be going for the ASEAN summit as in earlier years. There is no chance for such a meeting at the G20 summit in Johannesburg in November, as Trump won’t travel for the G20 summit.
The June 17 Modi-Trump phone call saw Trump accepting Modi’s invite to come to India for the QUAD. But a recent New York Times report says Trump no longer has such plans. India also has no clarity yet. The Foreign Ministry last week said it would not like to comment on speculative media reports on this issue. If Trump does indeed visit India as promised in November for QUAD and a trade deal is signed by both countries during this visit, the relations may see a full reset.
But India is aware that the US hasn’t revoked the 50 per cent tariffs on it and wants a trade deal with India on its own terms, like entry into the country’s agriculture and dairy sectors. PM Modi has said this won’t be allowed by India at any cost. Trump also continues to maintain his “ceasefire” claim regarding the India-Pakistan conflict. The US President also nurtures a close relationship with Pakistan as well as Asim Munir, a big irritant for India. All these will be challenges in reviving the US-India relationship.
