Despite differences, Trump says partnership with India's Modi 'never looked brighter'

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Indian Prime Minister visit sparks demonstrations in D.C. People supporting and opposing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held competing demonstrations in Washington, DC on Sunday. Modi is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on Monday. (June 26)

WASHINGTON – President Trump and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged Monday to work together to boost their respective economies, despite remaining disputes over trade, immigration, and climate change policies.

"The future of our partnership has never looked brighter," Trump said after a series of meetings with Modi at the White House.

Modi, who invited Trump to visit India, said his country's economic growth is in the best interests of the United States. The United States is the "primary partner" for India's transformation, the prime minister said.

Trump hailed pledges of closer military cooperation between India and the United States, especially in the fight against the Islamic State. "Both of our nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism," Trump said, and "we will destroy radical Islamic terrorism."

The president also said he would seek India's help in dealing with nuclear-armed North Korea, saying that it "is causing tremendous problems" and is something "that has to be dealt with, and probably dealt with rapidly."

While praising each other during prepared statements – and even exchanging hugs, twice – Trump and Modi glossed over sources of friction between their two countries.

Trump, who campaigned on what he called an "America First" approach to the economy, has protested U.S. trade deficits with a number of countries, including India; he told Modi he would seek "a fair and reciprocal" trade relationship with his country.

The president did praise a prospective agreement in which India would purchase U.S. natural gas, though he wants "to get the price up a little bit."

Modi has said that increased Indian trade poses no economic threat to the United States.

"The logic of our strategic relationship is incontrovertible," Modi wrote in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, adding: "I expect the next few decades to be an even more remarkable story of ambitious horizons, convergent action and shared growth." He echoed that message in statements at the White House.

The two leaders also meet at a time when the Trump administration is seeking to restrict or even end the issuance of H-1B visas that allow foreign workers with special skills to be employed in the United States.

These visas bring nearly 100,000 Indian contract workers to the United States annually, most of them in high-tech engineering jobs, though the specific topic did not surface during the two leaders' statements.

Trump and Modi also disagree on climate change. India supported the Paris climate change agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris deal.

Before heading to the White House, Modi met separately with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Moving forward, a discussion of joint counterterrorism efforts against the Islamic State and others is likely to span India's longstanding rivalry with its neighbor Pakistan. Islamabad has objected to Indian military build-ups in the past.

After their meetings and joint statements – they took no questions – the president and first lady Melania Trump hosted Modi at a "working dinner."

It's the first such dinner Trump has had for a world leader at the White House, though he hosted similar affairs for the leaders of Japan and China at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla.

During a photo opportunity earlier in the day, Trump told Modi that "we agree on most things, and I would say by the end of the day we'll agree on everything. I have a feeling."

The president also thanked India for seeking a $2 billion arms deal with the United States for 22 naval surveillance drones. While the sale is still subject to congressional approval, Trump said that selling military equipment "always makes us feel very good."

In his public statement, Trump referred to the fact that he Modi both have more than 30 million followers on Twitter.

"Prime Minister Modi and I are world leaders in social media," Trump said.