Bhubaneswar, Dec. 12 -- Amid heightened tariff tensions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a "very warm and engaging" telephonic conversation on Thursday, reaffirming commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The discussion came as US negotiators began two-day talks with their Indian counterparts in New Delhi.

Both leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral ties and stressed the need to maintain momentum in enhancing trade cooperation. They also discussed expanding collaboration across critical technologies, defence, energy, security and other priority sectors under the India-US COMPACT framework.

Modi said the two leaders exchanged views on key regional and global developm...