Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed expanding co-operation in trade, critical technologies, energy, defence and security in a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Thursday.
"Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the U.S. will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi said in a post on X.A government statement said the two leaders reviewed progress in India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Both leaders agreed to work closely to address shared challenges and advance common interests.
The two countries are in the middle of negotiations for a trade deal that was due to be completed by end of this year. India-US relations strained this year after the Trump administration imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, half of which is a penalty for buying Russian oil.
Washington has publicly pressured India to snap commercial and defence ties with Moscow and align closely with its policies. Besides, tightening of immigration rules like H-1B visas have hampered Indians' access to the US.
"PM Modi and President Trump underlined the importance of sustaining momentum in shared efforts to enhance bilateral trade. The leaders also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in critical technologies, energy, defence and security, and other priority areas that are central to the implementation of the India–US COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st century," the statement said.The National Security Strategy 2025 released by the White House last week outlined India's position in its foreign policy. The US "must improve commercial relations" with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with Australia and Japan, the document said.
"We will also work to align the actions of our allies and partners with our joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nation," the NSS said in a veiled reference to China.
Moreover, the 29-page document again stressed Trump's claim that he "negotiated peace" between Pakistan and India in May. New Delhi has denied any outside interference in the ceasefire truce with Islamabad after Operation Sindoor.
Under the cloud of trade and geopolitical friction, India did not hold the Quad leader's summit this year. PM Modi has met Trump and his Japanese and Australian counterparts on separate occasions.### Two Madhya Pradesh Friends Strike Diamond Jackpot: 15.34-Carat Gem Worth Over ₹50 Lakh Unearthed in Just 20 Days
In a classic rags-to-riches tale from India's diamond heartland, two young friends from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh have discovered a stunning 15.34-carat gem-quality diamond valued at over ₹50 lakh after only 20 days of mining on a tiny leased plot. The find, made in the diamond-rich soils of Krishna Kalyanpur, has sparked celebrations and envy among locals, turning the duo's modest dreams into a potential windfall.
#### Who Are the Lucky Miners?
- **Satish Khatik**: A 28-year-old who runs a small meat shop to support his family, often struggling with debts from daily expenses.
- **Sajid Mohammad**: A 25-year-old fruit stall vendor, equally burdened by financial pressures but bonded with Satish through years of friendship.
The pair, hailing from humble backgrounds in Panna—known as India's "Diamond City" for producing 99% of the country's diamonds—decided to try their luck in mining after hearing stories of quick fortunes. They leased a modest 8-meter (or about 40 square yards) plot in Krishna Kalyanpur for just ₹200 annually, a common entry point for small-scale miners under the state's liberal lease policy.
#### The Dig and the Discovery
Armed with basic tools, Satish and Sajid began digging on November 21, 2025, working tirelessly day and night on their small pit. Just 20 days later, on December 11, their perseverance paid off when they unearthed the raw, uncut diamond during routine sifting. "We couldn't believe our eyes—it was shining like a star in the mud," Satish reportedly said, as quoted in local reports. The stone's size and clarity immediately marked it as a high-quality specimen, far superior to the gravelly finds typical for novice miners.
#### What's Next? Auction and Payout
The excited duo wasted no time, depositing the diamond at the government-run Panna Diamond Office on the same day. Under Madhya Pradesh's mining regulations, all finds must be registered here before being certified and prepared for auction. The gem will join the next quarterly auction—held every three months in Bhopal—where buyers from across India and abroad bid fiercely.
Once sold, the friends will receive the proceeds minus deductions: an 11% royalty to the state government and 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), leaving them with approximately 88% of the final bid amount. Experts estimate the polished diamond could fetch even more than the initial ₹50 lakh valuation, potentially transforming their lives—paying off debts, expanding businesses, or even building homes.
This discovery highlights Panna's allure for everyday dreamers, where over 100,000 small leases fuel a cottage industry amid stricter regulations on larger operations. While not every pit yields treasure, stories like this keep the hope alive in the dusty mines of Madhya Pradesh.
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