US President Donald Trump on February 2 announced what he described as a major trade understanding with India after speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming New Delhi has agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil and sharply increase imports from the United States.
Sharing details of the call on Truth Social, Trump called Modi “one of my greatest friends” and a “powerful and respected leader,” saying the two leaders discussed trade as well as efforts to bring an end to the Ukraine war.
According to Trump, Modi agreed that India would halt Russian oil purchases and instead buy more energy from the US and possibly Venezuela. “This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine,” Trump said, linking the move directly to global geopolitical efforts.
Trump also claimed that India has committed to buying more than $500 billion worth of American products, including energy, technology, agriculture, coal and other goods, adding that Modi had agreed to “BUY AMERICAN” at a much higher level.
As part of what Trump called an immediate trade deal, the US will reduce its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. He added that India would also move to cut its tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US products, eventually bringing them down to zero.
Earlier, Trump had posted an image of India Today magazine’s “Newsmakers of the Year 2025” cover featuring both leaders, headlined “The Mover & The Shaker.”
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor later confirmed the call in a brief post on X, writing: “President Trump just spoke with Prime Minister Modi. STAY TUNED.”
The announcement comes at a time when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Washington, indicating that the talks may have been part of a broader, pre-planned diplomatic engagement.