India-US Trade Deal: 'Modi needed to call Trump' for India-US trade deal to reach conclusion

On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating rhetoric surrounding the India-US trade negotiations. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed in a recent interview that a potential trade deal remained unfinished because 'Modi needed to call Trump' to finalize the agreement. Lutnick suggested that while other deals with nations like Indonesia and Vietnam moved forward, the Indian deal missed the 'train that left the station'. This follows comments from President Donald Trump, who claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed him as 'Sir' while discussing delays in the Apache helicopter deal. In response to the pressure, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated India's firm stance, stating that 'National interest will always be supreme' and that the country will not sign any agreement based on external deadlines or pressure. The bulletin highlights the diplomatic friction as both nations navigate intense trade and defence negotiations.