Modi-Vance call brings trade, strategic ties in focus

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to US Vice President JD Vance and discussed steps to further expand the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas.

The PM also congratulated Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on the birth of their son and conveyed his best wishes to the family. "Received a phone call from US Vice President JD Vance. We discussed ways to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas. Warmly congratulated him and the Second Lady on the birth of their son and conveyed best wishes to the entire family," Modi wrote on X after his phone call with Vance on Saturday night.

The call comes against the backdrop of several developments, including a crucial stage in US-Iran negotiations, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact, besides the proposed India-US trade pact.


The call also comes amid a threat of 100% tariffs against India over its imports of Russian oil.

The US Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 86-11. The bill gives US President Donald Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that are among the biggest buyers of Russian oil.

India is one of five countries specifically listed in the legislation. The other four are China, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia. Meanwhile, India's Russian crude imports reached a record 2.78 million barrels per day in July. The call from Vance also comes amid concerns raised by US Congressman Riley Moore over the proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which he alleged could allow the Indian government to take over churches and religious charities.