Trump aide’s ‘Modi didn’t call’ claim, then a Jaishankar-Rubio call. What next for India-US trade deal?

It’s been nearly five months since the tariffs on Indian exports to the US hit a massive 50% — half of it termed “penalty” by President Donald Trump over India’s purchase of Russian oil — and there continues to be uncertainty on when a trade deal may be struck, if at all. Trade negotiations between officials of the two countries have been underway since before the tariffs took effect, having formally started in March-April last year after a February greenlight for talks. Statements made by Trump and some key officials in his administration over the past few days have further…