Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke by phone on Thursday, their offices said, discussing a broad range of topics that included tariffs imposed by the United States on goods from both countries.

India, which now faces among the highest tariff rates imposed by the US, called the levy "unjustified and unreasonable".

As the president pursues his goals on Russia and trade, America’s relationship with an important partner in Asia could end up as collateral damage.