Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked US President Donald Trump for extending Diwali greetings over the phone.

Trump told reporters at the White House that the call focussed mostly on trade as the two countries were working on “some great deals” but reiterated that India was not going to purchase much crude oil from Russia and was already cutting back on it.

India’s team of trade negotiators had “fruitful” discussions with their US counterparts in Washington last week, moving towards a trade deal but some tricky issues including cutting down of Russian oil purchases still had to be ironed out, a source tracking the matter said.

“Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings. On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate t

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