News Brief
Modi, Trump Discuss India-US Trade Progress Amid Gaza Peace Developments
PM Modi and President Trump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for the successful implementation of the Gaza peace plan — a major diplomatic effort aimed at ending a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Taking to X, the Prime Minister shared that he had also held discussions with President Trump on ongoing India-US trade negotiations, hinting at increased engagement between the two nations in 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." the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister’s remarks follow recent statements from Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who confirmed that India and the US remain in active dialogue regarding a proposed bilateral trade agreement.
Speaking to reporters in Doha on Tuesday, Goyal said, “We are in constant dialogue with the US (on the trade pact), and talks are on at various levels. We will give more information on this soon on how we are thinking to take it forward".
He added that there is "every possibility" of meeting the November deadline to finalise the deal.
Goyal emphasised that India’s stance remains firm on safeguarding the interests of farmers, the dairy sector and religious sensitivities.
For the fourth consecutive year, the United States continues to be India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $131.84 billion in 2024–25. The US accounts for 18 per cent of India’s total exports and over 10 per cent of its overall merchandise trade.
In a separate post praising Israel's Netanyahu, PM Modi reiterated that terrorism, in any form or manifestation, cannot be tolerated anywhere in the world.
"Called my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to congratulate him on the progress made under President Trump's Gaza peace plan. We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. Reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, Israel confirmed that all parties had signed the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
The deal, negotiated in Egypt, follows a 20-point peace framework unveiled by Trump last month, aiming to end over two years of conflict that began after Hamas’s October 2023 terror attack in Israel.
