### Strengthening Ties: Modi and Trump Discuss Long-Pending India-US Trade Deal In a significant development for international relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump engaged in a "warm and engaging" phone call on December 11, 2025, to review the progress of their bilateral relationship. The leaders focused on advancing discussions surrounding a long-pending trade agreement, which aims to ease tariffs and enhance cooperation across various sectors, including defense and energy. This conversation comes at a time when both nations are keen on solidifying their strategic partnership, particularly in light of ongoing negotiations that have faced delays in the past. The dialogue reflects a mutual commitment to fostering economic ties and addressing global challenges collaboratively. ### Key Aspects of the Modi-Trump Phone Call 1. **Bilateral Trade Discussions**: - The leaders reviewed the status of trade negotiations, emphasizing the need to break the deadlock on the proposed trade deal [https://www.outlookindia.com/national/modi-trump-hold-call-as-indiaus-move-closer-to-long-pending-trade-deal]. - They expressed satisfaction with the progress made in strengthening bilateral trade relations [https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/india-us-trade-deal-pm-modi-and-president-trump-hold-phone-conversation-express-satisfaction-over-strengthening-of-ties-23607334]. 2. **Strategic Partnership Review**: - Modi and Trump discussed the broader India-US strategic partnership, including defense cooperation and the COMPACT framework, which aims to enhance military and technological collaboration [https://inews.zoombangla.com/modi-and-trump-forge-path-forward-in-critical-india-us-strategic-partnership]. - The leaders highlighted the importance of sustaining momentum in their partnership to address regional and global issues [https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bilateral-trade-energy-defence-what-pm-modi-trump-discussed-in-phone-call-amid-tariff-tensions-101765503364997.html]. 3. **Focus on Key Sectors**: - Discussions included critical areas such as energy, technology, and defense, which are pivotal for the implementation of the India-US COMPACT framework [https://newsarenaindia.com/nation/pm-modi-talks-to-us-president-trump-on-ties/64631]. - Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to global peace and stability, indicating a shared vision for future cooperation [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/3727980-modi-and-trump-strengthen-indo-us-partnership-in-key-sectors]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Trade Negotiation Status**: The ongoing trade talks have been characterized by a desire for a "mutually beneficial" agreement, with both nations aiming for a mini-trade deal by early 2026 [https://internationalnewsandviews.com/pm-modi-trump-phone-call-india-us-relations-defense-trade-december-2025-392827-2]. - **Engagement Frequency**: This phone call marks the sixth conversation between Modi and Trump in 2025, underscoring the active engagement between the two leaders [https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/national/news/pm-modi-trump-hold-6th-telephonic-conversation-this-year-reaffirm-strong-usindia-ties-trade-and-technology-remain-key-focus-136643011.html]. ### Conclusion: A Path Forward for India-US Relations The recent phone call between PM Modi and President Trump signifies a renewed commitment to enhancing India-US relations through strategic dialogue and cooperation. 1. **Bilateral Trade**: The leaders are focused on advancing trade negotiations to ease tariffs and foster economic growth. 2. **Strategic Cooperation**: There is a clear emphasis on strengthening defense and technological partnerships under the COMPACT framework. 3. **Global Stability**: Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to addressing global challenges collaboratively, enhancing their strategic partnership. In summary, the ongoing discussions and the positive tone of the recent call indicate a promising trajectory for India-US relations, with both nations poised to capitalize on their strategic partnership in the coming years [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/3727980-modi-and-trump-strengthen-indo-us-partnership-in-key-sectors].