India has firmly rejected US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s assertion that the India US trade deal failed to materialise because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a personal phone call to President Donald Trump, as bilateral talks continue amid 50% US tariffs India and disputes linked to India Russian oil purchases. The Indian foreign ministry on 9 January 2026 described Lutnick’s characterisation as “not accurate”. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that Modi and Trump spoke eight times in 2025, covering various aspects of the partnership. This rebuttal addresses Lutnick’s comments on the All-In Podcast, where he claimed the deal was … Continue reading India Rejects Claim India US Trade Deal Stalled Over Missed Modi Trump Phone Call