A recent news article from Hindustan Times, published on January 14, 2026, reports on the intricate dynamics of India-US trade relations. It highlights a controversial claim made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a key aide to former President Donald Trump, who alleged that a potential bilateral trade deal between India and the United States fell through because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a crucial phone call to President Trump. Lutnick further stated that India and the US were close to finalizing a deal but India was "on the wrong side of the see-saw." However, India swiftly rejected these claims, with the Ministry of External Affairs clarifying that the characterization of negotiations was "not accurate" and noting that PM Modi and President Trump had spoken eight times in 2025 on various partnership issues. The article also notes a recent phone conversation between India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where discussions covered bilateral trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy, and defense cooperation. This diplomatic engagement takes place amidst significant trade tensions, primarily due to the US imposing a substantial 50% tariff on Indian exports. This measure, partly a "penalty" by the Trump administration, is linked to India's ongoing purchases of Russian oil. Despite these challenges, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor recently affirmed that the US considers India an important partner and that trade talks are actively continuing, with the next round of discussions scheduled. Both nations are committed to concluding a mutually beneficial trade agreement, though the negotiations remain complex, with US demands for greater access to India's agricultural and dairy sectors being a key hurdle.