President Trump's second and final day of his India visit struck a more formal tone than the pageantry of a day earlier that included a trip to the Taj Mahal and a mega-rally in his honor. But he took time out Tuesday to pay tribute to Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi at a memorial in New Delhi.

Why it matters: The countries are forging deeper ties as India’s location, size and economic growth make it the "obvious counterweight to China" for American policymakers.

Trump told the rally crowd in Ahmedabad he hoped to reach a trade deal with his "true friend" Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first official visit to the country, and he was taking part in formal meetings with officials on Tuesday.

Of concern: There were deadly clashes in another part of Delhi over India's controversial citizenship law hours hours as Trump and members of his first family visited the city.

The president and first lady Melania Trump lay a wreath at Raj Ghat, the memorial for Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi, in New Delhi. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The Trumps pay tribute at Raj Ghat. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The Trumps plant a tree tribute at Raj Ghat. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the Taj Mahal on Monday. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The president's elder daughter, Ivanka Trump, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both White House senior advisers, at the "Namaste Trump" rally on Monday at a packed 110,000-capacity Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad — the world's largest cricket venue. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Modi and the Trumps during the rally on the president's first official visit to the country. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

People gather in a street as a motorcade transporting Trump travels through Ahmedabad. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

A cutout of Trump in a street as people wait to catch a glimpse of the president's motorcade in Ahmedabad. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

School children wearing masks of Modi and Trump in Siliguri, northeast India. Photo: Diptendu Dutta/AFP via Getty Images

Ivanka Trump and Kushner with the president and Modi at the airport. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Trump holds a string while checking a charkha, or spinning wheel, at the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump with the president and Modi at the airport. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Trump and Modi at the airport. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

An idili, or savory rice cake, decorated in the images of Modi and Trump. Photo: Arun Sankar/AFP via Getty Images

A student paints the images of the president and Melania Trump on a canvas in Mumbai. Photo: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP via Getty Images

People protest Trump's visit and the Israeli government at a mosque in Lucknow, northern India. Photo: Dheeraj Dhawan/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Police officers stand guard as security is stepped up at the Taj Mahal ahead of Trump's visit there. Photo: Yawar Nazir/ Getty Images

A billboard of Modi and Trump shaking hands outside the Taj Mahal. Photo: Yawar Nazir/Getty Images

Workers clean a bulletproof glass enclosure around the podium before the rally. Photo: Money Sharma/AFP via Getty Images

Paramilitary soldiers from the Rapid Action Force outside the stadium. Photo: Sam Panthaky/AFP via Getty Images

Crowds at the "Namaste Trump" rally. Photo: Money Sharma/AFP via Getty Images

Flashback: Trump at Howdy Modi rally: India and U.S. must protect our borders

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.