13 Feb 2025 – Modi meets Trump at the White House, “kick‑starting” a series of negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement and establishing a direct diplomatic channel for future talks [1][3].

Early 2025 (first half) – Six rounds of U.S.–India trade talks take place, each aiming to resolve the framework that would lift the 50 % tariff on Indian goods [4].

10 May 2025 – Trump halts “Operation Sindoor,” a U.S. initiative to expand Indian market access, a move that Congress later describes as sending relations “downhill” [2].

Aug 2025 – Trump imposes 50 % tariffs on Indian imports, adding a penalty for India’s purchases of Russian oil and intensifying pressure on Delhi as negotiations stall [1].

Nov 2025 – India’s exports to the United States rise 22 % year‑on‑year despite the tariffs, showing continued trade activity amid the dispute [1].

Nov 2025 – Trump wins re‑election; Modi travels to Washington for a congratulatory visit, sharing a public “hug‑lomacy” that Congress later cites as a high point before relations sour [2].

11 Dec 2025 – Modi and Trump hold a telephone conversation in which Modi reports “progress” in their bilateral relationship, underscoring sustained high‑level engagement [3].

9 Jan 2026 – MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal refutes Lutnick’s claim, stating that “Modi and Trump spoke by phone eight times last year,” including the Dec 11 call, and asserts that negotiations remain “near‑deal” on several occasions [1][3].

9 Jan 2026 – India denies that the absence of a direct call derailed the deal, noting that agriculture remains the chief sticking point and that U.S. officials describe India as a “tough nut to crack” [1].

27 Jan 2026 – India and the European Union sign a comprehensive free‑trade pact dubbed the “mother of all deals,” covering a market of two billion people and adding defence cooperation to uphold a rules‑based order [2].

2 Feb 2026 – President Trump announces a reduction of the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 % to 18 %, a move Modi welcomes as a boost for “Made in India” products [2].

3 Feb 2026 – The Indian National Congress urges parliamentary debate on the pending U.S. and EU trade texts, warning that the U.S. deal could force agricultural liberalisation and undermine the “Make in India” initiative [2].

2026 (ongoing) – A U.S. Senate bill championed by Lindsey Graham threatens up to 500 % tariffs on countries like India that continue Russian oil purchases; India monitors the proposal closely while reaffirming its commitment to energy security and the International Solar Alliance [3].