Modi, Trump talk over phone, discuss trade deficit, defence
New Delhi/Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump have discussed the contentious issue of the US' trade deficit with India and increasing their cooperation in war-torn Afghanistan during a telephonic conversation.
During the conversation on Monday evening, the two leaders exchanged new year greetings and expressed satisfaction at the continued growth of the India-US strategic partnership in 2018.
"The leaders agreed to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership in 2019 and exchanged perspectives on how to reduce the US trade deficit with India," the White House said in a readout of the call.
They also agreed to expand security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and increase cooperation in Afghanistan, according to the White House.
Trump last week took a jibe at Modi for funding a "library" in Afghanistan, saying it is of no use in the war-torn country as he criticised India and others for not doing enough for the nation's security.