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Headline: Trump and Modi Offer Conflicting Accounts After Diwali Call

New Delhi, October 22, 2025: A phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, purportedly to exchange Diwali greetings, has sparked confusion and conflicting narratives from both sides. The call comes days before a potential meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where both leaders will attend ASEAN-related summits.

While Prime Minister Modi emphasized a shared commitment to combating terrorism in a brief statement following the conversation, President Trump painted a different picture. Speaking at a White House Diwali celebration, Trump claimed the call focused heavily on trade negotiations, resolving the conflict in Ukraine by reducing Russian oil and potentially averting “war with Pakistan.”

Notably, President Trump asserted for the fourth time in a week that Prime Minister Modi had conveyed India’s decision to curtail Russian oil imports to help resolve the Ukraine conflict. This claim, made in the presence of Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, was not refuted. Government sources in India, however, vehemently denied that discussions included Pakistan, refuting Trump’s repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has remained silent on the specifics of the discussion. A government source has indirectly contested Mr. Trump’s remarks. Mr. Trump has repeatedly claimed he mediated the India-Pakistan ceasefire despite India’s denials. The potential for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations remains a topic of ongoing negotiation. The US is applying pressure via tariffs on Indian goods due to India’s reliance on Russian oil imports, while India wants better access for its exports.

With both leaders scheduled to attend ASEAN-related summits in Kuala Lumpur later this week, the possibility of a breakthrough in trade talks remains uncertain.

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