Modi, Trump talk over phone, discuss trade deficit, defence

New Delhi/Washington, Jan 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation during which they discussed the contentious issue of the US’ trade deficit with India and ways to enhance cooperation in areas of defence and counter-terrorism.

                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.

                They also appreciated developments such as the launch of the new 2+2 dialogue mechanism and the first ever trilateral summit of India, US and Japan, a statement from the prime minister’s office in New Delhi said.

                The two nations held the first edition of the 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi in September.

                The two leaders also took positive note of the growing bilateral cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism and energy, besides the co-ordination on regional and global issues, it said.

                This was the first phone call between the two leaders after the tri-lateral summit meeting they had with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Buenos Aires in November on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentina.