MEA Rejects US Claim: Modi-Trump Calls Not Behind Stalled Trade Deal

• India's MEA dismissed US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's claim that PM Modi not calling President Trump stalled the trade deal.
• New Delhi stated that the podcast discussion presenting this picture of the trade deal is "not correct."
• India and the US have been discussing a bilateral trade agreement since February 13 last year, with multiple rounds of talks held.
• The MEA highlighted that PM Modi and President Trump spoke eight times on the phone in 2025, discussing their extensive partnership.
• India remains interested in a mutually beneficial trade agreement and aims to conclude it quickly.

Why It Matters: India refutes US Commerce Secretary's claim, asserting high-level contact and ongoing trade deal discussions.