New Delhi and Washington have emphasized the need to sustain momentum in economic cooperation

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he and US President Donald Trump discussed trade, defense, and energy ties in a telephone conversation on Thursday.

The development comes as New Delhi and Washington are engaged in talks for a trade deal.

"Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump," Modi said in a post on X. "We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the U.S. will continue to work together for global peace, stability, and prosperity."

The two leaders exchanged views on expanding cooperation in areas including trade, critical technologies, energy, defense, and security.

It is the third time the pair have spoken since Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India in August, half of which was a 'punitive' measure for New Delhi's Russian oil purchases.

India and the US have since been engaged in talks to reach a trade deal.

A delegation led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer and Indian officials heldtalksin New Delhi earlier this week.

On Monday, Trump threatened to impose moretariffson India, accusing it of dumping rice into the US.

The US president has claimed on numerous occasions that his tariff policy has been effective. "The tariffs have reduced the budget deficit by 64%, and frankly, we haven't even started yet," Trump stated on Thursday.

India has dismissed criticism over its Russian oil imports and maintains that its energy policy is driven by national interest.

New Delhi is negotiating deals with nearly adozencountries or trade blocs, including the US and the European Union.

India and Russia signed more than a dozen bilateral agreements in the media, space, and pharma sectors during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi last week. The countries aim to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.

India said on Wednesday itsexportsin the first half of the financial year hit a record $418.91 billion.

(RT.com)