Trump, Modi vow to strengthen ties

But Indian leader is urged to do more to narrow US trade deficit

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Monday held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, eyeing a robust partnership despite their growing trade frictions. They hailed strong bilateral ties and pledged to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade and anti-terrorism.

"After our meetings today, I will say that the relationship between India and the United States has never been stronger, has never been better," Trump said in a televised remark with Modi in the White House Rose Garden.

"India and the US will always be tied together in friendship and respect," he said.

Modi, on his fifth US visit since taking office in 2014, described the talks with Trump as "extremely important".

"My visit and our talks today will mark a very important page in the history of the collaboration and cooperation between our two nations," Modi said.

However, Modi's visit came amid increased trade frictions between the two countries over the past six months of the Trump presidency.

"The US is turning up the heat on India on commercial matters, while India expands its vision of 'Make in India' and is courting additional global relationships with new vigor," said Richard Rossow, an expert with Center for Strategic and International Studies, calling the meeting "a singular chance to get an early, favorable course correction".

For the two countries, "there continues to be differences on trade, investment, and immigration policies", said Tanvi Madan, an expert with the Brookings Institute, a US think tank.

Highlighted concerns

She said the Trump administration has highlighted concerns over the trade deficit with India, tariffs, intellectual property concerns, and market access for US companies.

On Monday, Trump said he looked forward to working with Modi to "create a trading relationship that is fair and reciprocal", but he also urged the Indian prime minister to do more to narrow the US trade deficit with India.

"It is important that barriers be removed to the export of US goods into your markets, and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country," Trump said.

The US leader also said he was pleased to learn about Indian Airlines' recent order of 100 new US planes, which he said will support "thousands and thousands of American jobs".

Last year, US trade with India totaled an estimated $114.8 billion, and US trade deficit with India was $30.8 billion, according to US official figures.

In a statement issued after their meeting, Trump and Modi also said they are committed to strengthening cooperation against terrorist threats from various groups.

Xinhua - Ap