. NEW DELHI: Congress ngress MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday took a swipe on BJP-led Centre by sharing comments made by US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, claiming that India missed out on a trade deal with the United States because there was no direct engagement at the leadership level.Posting a clip from a podcast featuring Lutnick on X, Ramesh wrote, “Hug hag na raha, post post na raha, kya se kya ho gaya bewafa tere dosti mein,” to mock what he described as a decline in the relationship between the two countries. ‘No Call From PM Modi’: Trump Aide Lutnick’s Shocker On India-US Trade Deal Amid Tariff Threats His remarks followed Lutnick’s comments on the ‘All-in podcast’, where he said the India–US trade deal stalled because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not personally call US President Donald Trump.Lutnick said negotiations had reached an advanced stage, with contracts discussed and the overall structure of the deal prepared. However, he claimed the final step required direct contact between the two leaders.“I would negotiate the contracts and set the whole deal up, but let’s be clear. It’s his deal. He’s the closer. You’ve got to have Modi call the President. They were uncomfortable doing it. So Modi didn’t call,” Lutnick said.He added that after waiting, the US went ahead and finalised trade agreements with other countries in the region.Lutnick also explained Trump’s approach to trade talks, describing it as a “staircase” system. Countries that moved early, he said, got better terms, while those that came later faced higher rates.According to Lutnick, India was publicly named several times as the next country in line for a deal and was given “three Fridays” to close the agreement. When that did not happen, the US announced trade deals with countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJaishankar Sends ‘Bad Neighbour’ Pakistan On Anti-India Rant Again, Calls Operation Sindoor Reckless’No Call From PM Modi’: Trump Aide Lutnick’s Shocker On India-US Trade Deal Amid Tariff Threats‘India Can Balance A Chaotic World’: French President Macron On BRICS, Multipolarity, Power Politics‘India Will Not Be Anybody’s Vassal’: French President Macron’s Remark During Jaishankar MeetMeet Tina Shah, The Indian American Doctor Running For US Congress in New Jersey Democratic RaceBJP Targets Mamata Banerjee Over ED Raid At I-PAC, Alleges Evidence TamperingFrom Op Sindoor To Venezuela: How Chinese Air Defence And Radar Systems Continue To Fail NationsDipu Das Lynching: Bangladesh Police Arrest Man Who Incited Mob As Attacks Against Hindus ContinueFrance Ditches Global South, Collective West As Jaishankar Warns Europe Of Changing World Order’Naughty, Nasty HM’: Mamata Slams Amit Shah After ED Raids TMC Leader Amid SIR Row123Photostories10 winter habits that build unshakeable inner strengthBTS’s funniest moments: From Jungkook’s Vine phase to J-Hope’s butter chicken incidentLove with restraint, ‘Taal’, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Hulchul’ define Akshaye Khanna’s romantic legacyYour Birth Date Is Not Random—It Holds a Dark TruthTara Sutaria and Veer Pahariya reportedly part ways after one year? 5 times the couple proved that style never fadesHow to make Kolhapuri Chicken Curry for lunchMahhi Vij addresses divorce with Jay Bhanushali: ‘It didn’t work out but he has not run away from the responsibility of our kids’Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh Khan to Kareena Kapoor: Bollywood stars who danced to songs bearing their namesFired from work? How to find a new job quickly that you like7 signs you might be spiritually gifted (even if you don’t realise it yet)123Hot PicksTrump Mexico NewsTrump Denmark NewsGold rate todayBengaluru newsCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingCandace OwensTommy Fleetwood and Clare Fleetwood Net WorthTravis KelceICE Shooting VictimSarfaraz KhanRic Flair Net Worth in 2025Patrick Mahomes InjuryUnion BudgetDelhi AQIStefon Diggs
NEW DELHI: Congress ngress MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday took a swipe on BJP-led Centre by sharing comments made by US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, claiming that India missed out on a trade deal with the United States because there was no direct engagement at the leadership level.Posting a clip from a podcast featuring Lutnick on X, Ramesh wrote, “Hug hag na raha, post post na raha, kya se kya ho gaya bewafa tere dosti mein,” to mock what he described as a decline in the relationship between the two countries.
His remarks followed Lutnick’s comments on the ‘All-in podcast’, where he said the India–US trade deal stalled because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not personally call US President Donald Trump.Lutnick said negotiations had reached an advanced stage, with contracts discussed and the overall structure of the deal prepared. However, he claimed the final step required direct contact between the two leaders.“I would negotiate the contracts and set the whole deal up, but let’s be clear. It’s his deal. He’s the closer. You’ve got to have Modi call the President. They were uncomfortable doing it. So Modi didn’t call,” Lutnick said.He added that after waiting, the US went ahead and finalised trade agreements with other countries in the region.Lutnick also explained Trump’s approach to trade talks, describing it as a “staircase” system. Countries that moved early, he said, got better terms, while those that came later faced higher rates.According to Lutnick, India was publicly named several times as the next country in line for a deal and was given “three Fridays” to close the agreement. When that did not happen, the US announced trade deals with countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
