PM Modi speaks to 'friend' Trump: Discusses India-US trade, congratulates him on Gaza peace plan

File Photo - Prime Minster Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to US President Donald Trump and congatulated him on the historic Gaza peace plan. Modi also noted that the two leaders reviewed the positive progress made in ongoing trade negotiations and agreed to stay in close contact over the coming weeks.

"Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks," Modi wrote on X.

Earlier this week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India and the US are in continuous dialogue on the proposed bilateral trade agreement, and all possibilities are there to meet the November deadline for concluding the talks.

Last month, the minister led an official delegation to New York for trade talks. After that meeting, India and the US decided to continue negotiations for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement.

The deliberations took place after the US imposed a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff and an additional 25 per cent penalty on Indian goods entering the American market for purchasing Russian crude oil. At present, a total of 50 per cent additional import duty is imposed on Indian goods.

Meanwhile, PM Modi earliet today welcomed the agreement on the first phase of Trump's peace plan for West Asia, under which Israel and Hamas have decided to pause fighting in Gaza. Modi said the agreement was also a reflection of the strong leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump's peace plan. This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu," Modi said in a post on X.

"We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace," he said.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting in Gaza and release at least some hostages and prisoners in an agreement that was put forward by the Trump administration. The agreement marks the biggest breakthrough in months in the devastating two-year-old war.