Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that he had a 'productive conversation' with US President Donald Trump, reviewing bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy, and critical technologies. The leaders agreed to maintain close engagement to advance their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Modi's statement, posted on social media, also noted that they exchanged views on regional and international issues, including efforts to promote global peace and security.

The call comes days after Trump signed into law a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia and Iran, granting his administration expanded powers to penalise countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas. The legislation is particularly significant for India, as it allows Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from the five largest buyers of Russian oil or natural gas. India and China are among the major purchasers of Russian crude.

The Ministry of External Affairs had previously warned the US of the legislation's potential impact on the US-India relationship. In a statement, the ministry said: 'This issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors.

The US sanctions law, passed in September, gives Trump the authority to penalise countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas. This could affect India's energy imports, which are a significant part of its economy. The ministry's warning highlights concerns over how the legislation might strain the US-India relationship, particularly given the strategic importance of energy ties.

The call between Modi and Trump is seen as an effort to reaffirm the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which was announced in 2020. The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, and technology. However, the recent sanctions law introduces a potential challenge to this collaboration, as India's energy imports from Russia could come under scrutiny.

The ministry's statement indicates that India has raised its concerns with US officials, but the lack of a response from Trump's team leaves the situation unclear. The implications for the US-India relationship remain uncertain, with the potential for increased tariffs affecting India's energy security and economic interests. The situation underscores the complex interplay between geopolitical tensions and bilateral economic ties.

What remains unknown is the exact nature of the discussions between Modi and Trump on the sanctions law and its potential impact on India's energy imports. The absence of a response from the US side means the full scope of the implications for the US-India relationship cannot be fully assessed at this time.