PM Modi, Trump Review Ties As India Flags Concerns Over US Russia Iran Sanctions Law
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Wednesday and reviewed the progress of India-US cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and other areas, days after Washington enacted legislation that could impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries buying Russian oil and gas.
Modi described the conversation as “productive” and said the two leaders agreed to maintain close engagement to advance the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
“Had a productive conversation with President Trump. We reviewed our bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and other areas. We agreed to maintain close engagement to take our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership forward,” Modi said in a post on X.
The call came against the backdrop of heightened trade tensions following the enactment of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The legislation authorises the US president to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, potentially affecting major buyers including India and China.
The law has become a concern for New Delhi because India is a major buyer of Russian oil. India has maintained that its economic interests and energy security must be protected as Washington expands sanctions pressure on Moscow and Tehran.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Modi and Trump reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the bilateral partnership and agreed to remain in close contact. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments and discussed efforts to promote global peace and security.
India had already raised its concerns directly with the US. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 23 and said he had reiterated India’s “interests and concerns” regarding the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The two also discussed the situations in the Gulf and Ukraine.
The Modi-Trump conversation also comes as India and the US continue negotiations on their proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is in the US from September 29 to October 5 for the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee and is scheduled to hold discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on advancing the trade pact.
The Commerce Ministry has said the discussions will focus on advancing a balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement and working towards an interim deal in line with the joint statement issued by India and the US on February 7, 2026.
Goyal’s visit comes at a sensitive point in India-US economic ties, with negotiations on the trade agreement continuing alongside New Delhi’s concerns over the potential impact of the new US sanctions law.