India, Oct. 9 -- India on Thursday welcomed the agreement on the first phase of a US-backed peace plan for Gaza, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialling President Donald Trump to congratulate him on the success of efforts to end hostilities and to review progress in India-US trade negotiations.

This was the second phone call between Modi and Trump since September 16, and came amid continuing strains in India-US relations over the US administration's imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian exports, including a 25% punitive levy due to India's Russian oil purchases. The two sides have been in contact in recent days on resuming trade negotiations.

"Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza...