Goa, Jan. 9 -- With India-US trade talks still ongoing, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a close aide of President Donald Trump, has claimed that a potential deal failed to materialise due to the absence of direct outreach from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking on a podcast with entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya, Lutnick said the agreement was "all set up" but could not be finalised because Modi did not personally call Trump.

"They were uncomfortable doing it, so Modi didn't call," Lutnick said, adding that the two sides were otherwise very close to sealing the deal. He alleged that India was "on the wrong side of the see-saw" during negotiations.

Lutnick noted that the US subsequently concluded deals with countries such as In...