Archive · 10 Jan 2026
India-US Trade Deal Stalls Amid Disputes
The US and India have been trying to make a trade deal for a long time.
The US says the deal didn't happen because India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, didn't call US President Donald Trump.
But India says this isn't true and that they have talked on the phone many times.
The US has also proposed a new rule that could make it very expensive for countries like India to buy oil from Russia.
India says it needs affordable energy and is watching what happens.
Both countries want to make a deal, but they have different ideas about how to do it.
The US claims the India-US trade deal stalled because PM Modi did not call President Trump to finalize it.
India rejects this claim, stating that the characterization of the discussions is 'not accurate' and that Modi and Trump have spoken on eight occasions.
The US has completed trade deals with several other countries, including Japan, Europe, Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
India emphasizes its need for 'affordable energy' and is monitoring the US sanctions bill that could impose tariffs up to 500% on countries buying Russian oil.
Both countries remain interested in a mutually beneficial trade deal and look forward to concluding it.
- Who
- US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
- What
- Stalled India-US trade deal and potential US sanctions on countries buying Russian oil
- When
- Ongoing negotiations, recent comments made on January 9, 2026
- Where
- United States and India
- Why
- Disagreement over the reason for the stalled trade deal and differing perspectives on US sanctions on Russian oil
US Perspective
Indian Perspective
Reason for Stalled Trade Deal
US Perspective
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claims the deal stalled because Indian PM Narendra Modi did not call US President Donald Trump to finalize it.
Indian Perspective
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal states that the characterization of the discussions is 'not accurate' and that the two leaders have spoken on eight occasions.
US Sanctions on Russian Oil
US Perspective
The US has approved a Russia Sanctions Bill that could impose tariffs up to 500% on countries buying Russian oil, potentially affecting India.
Indian Perspective
India emphasizes its need for 'affordable energy' and states it is monitoring the developments closely, driven by energy security needs and market realities.
- US Commerce Secretary
- Howard Lutnick
- Indian Prime Minister
- Narendra Modi
- US President
- Donald Trump
- Trade Deals Completed by US
- Japan, Europe, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam
- Negotiation Rounds
- Multiple rounds since February 13, 2025
- Phone Calls Between Modi and Trump
- 8 occasions in 2025
- Proposed US Tariffs on Russian Oil Buyers
- Up to 500%
- India's Population
- 1.4 billion
Sources
'Modi didn't call': Howard Lutnick's big claim on India US trade deal deadlock, says THIS on America
No India-US Trade Deal Yet Because 'PM Modi Didn’t Call Trump': US Commerce Secretary
India-US trade deal didn’t happen became Modi did not call Trump: Lutnick
India-US trade deal didn’t happen because Modi did not call Trump: Lutnick
'Trade deal didn't happen because Modi didn't call Trump'
US Commerce Secy Lutnick claims trade deal with India didn’t happen as “PM Modi did not call Trump”
India-US Trade Deal Didn't Happen Because Modi Did Not Call Trump: Lutnick
‘Modi didn’t call Trump’: US Secy Lutnick blames PM for stalled trade deal with India
‘Modi didn’t call’: US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on what derailed high-stakes India-US trade deal
No trade deal as Modi didn't call Trump: US commerce secy
Kya se kya ho gaya: Cong mocks PM over Lutnick remark
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Says India-US Trade Deal Stalled As PM Modi Did Not Call President Donald Trump
‘Modi did not call Trump, India-US trade deal stalled’: US commerce secy Lutnick
India-US trade deal stalled as Modi did not call Trump, claims US commerce secretary
India lost a major trade deal because of ‘no call from Modi’, says Trump aide Lutnick
India was on wrong side of seesaw, says US commerce secy on stalled trade deal. ‘Modi didn’t call’
Howard Lutnick says the US-India trade deal didn’t take place because Modi didn’t call Trump
Modi’s refusal to call Trump delays India–US trade deal: US Commerce Secretary
'Trump Begging, Modi Unmoved': Internet Flooded With Memes Over US Trade Deal Call
'India Remains Committed To Bilateral Trade Pact With US' Amid Trump's 500% Tariff Threat: MEA
'Not accurate': India quashes top Trump aide's claims on India US trade deal negotiations
‘Not accurate’: India reacts to US commerce Secy’s ‘missed the train’ remark on trade deal amid 500% tariff threat
India-US trade talks: We remain interested in mutually beneficial trade deal, says MEA
'India’s Energy Policy Guided By Affordable Price': MEA On Trump-Backed 500% Tariff Proposal
India responds to US claims on reason behind delay in trade deal, and proposed bill on 500% tariffs
US Trade Deal: India Strongly Reacts On 'Modi-Trump Call', Says 'Characterization Inaccurate'
Affordable energy guides India’s stand on Russian oil amid US sanctions bill
Trump must be the closer, says Lutnick. Is that how US trade deals are sealed?
Modi And Trump Held Eight Conversations In 2025 Amid India-US Trade Talks: MEA
India rebuts Trump aide's 'Modi didn't call' claim; says...
'Not Accurate': MEA Disputes US Commerce Secretary's Statement On Trade Deal
‘Inaccurate’: India rejects Lutnick claim on stalled US trade deal, flags concern over Minneapolis shooting
‘India proritising affordable energy’: MEA on Trump’s 500% Tariffs Bill in US Congress
‘Spoke 8 times in 2025’: India rejects Trump aide’s claim that PM Modi did not call on trade deal
PM Modi & Trump spoke 8 times in 2025: MEA responds to Lutnick’s India-US trade deal claim
India reacts to US' 500% tariffs bill for buying Russian oil
"Not Accurate": Centre On Trump Aide's 'PM Didn't Call' US President Remarks
India refutes Howard Lutnick’s claim that India-US trade deal failed because PM Modi didn’t call president Trump
PM Modi, Trump Spoke 8 Times in 2025: MEA
Rush Hour: India says US official’s remark on trade talks inaccurate, TMC MPs detained and more
Not accurate: India rejects Lutnick’s remarks that trade deal stalled as Modi didn’t dial Trump
MEA dismisses Trump aide’s claim, confirms eight Modi–Trump calls in 2025
India rejects US’ inaccurate claims on failed trade deal
DC Edit | New Threats To Rupture US Ties?
India–US trade deal: Tariffs remain the key hurdle, not Modi–Trump talks, says former assistant USTR
Missed train on trade deal? India contests US commerce secretary’s claim on Modi-Trump call
In estrangement, give & take reality: India must improve ties with neighbours, rethink US policy
India, Us Yet To Seal Trade Deal... India rebuts Trump aide's 'Modi didn't phone' claim
Trade deals hinge on policy convergence, not leader-level symbolism, says GTRI after Lutnick remarks
