US Vice President JD Vance dials PM Modi, discusses deepening India-US strategic ties

US Vice President JD Vance spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone on Saturday, with the two leaders discussing efforts to deepen the strategic partnership between India and the United States. The conversation marks another high-level engagement between New Delhi and Washington as the two countries work to strengthen bilateral ties. Hindustan Times reported the call late on Saturday, saying further details were awaited.

India-US ties in focus

The telephone conversation comes at a significant moment for India-US relations, which have witnessed efforts in recent months to rebuild momentum after strains over trade, energy and geopolitical issues. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India in May, during which Washington publicly described India as one of its most important strategic partners. The visit was viewed as an attempt to put the relationship back on a stronger footing following a period of friction. Cooperation between India and the US extends across defence, critical and emerging technologies, energy, trade and the Indo-Pacific.

Vance's engagement with India

Vance has emerged as a key interlocutor in the Trump administration's engagement with New Delhi. His latest conversation with Modi adds to continuing contacts between senior officials on both sides. The call also comes against the backdrop of rapidly changing geopolitical developments, particularly in West Asia. Earlier on Saturday, Vance said Washington was working to establish a safe route for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and was holding discussions with Iran aimed at maximising the flow of oil and gas through the crucial waterway.

Strategic partnership remains key

Despite differences on some issues, both New Delhi and Washington have continued to emphasise the strategic importance of their relationship. The two countries have sought closer cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and through the Quad, while defence and technology partnerships have remained important pillars of bilateral engagement. The Modi-Vance conversation is the latest indication of continued high-level engagement as the two sides seek to deepen their strategic relationship and navigate areas of disagreement.