Modi and Trump Discuss Trade Deficit, Afghan Security on a Phone Call

The White House revealed that US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed lowering the US trade deficit with India and increasing their cooperation in Afghanistan, on a phone call.

The leaders agreed to strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership in 2019 and exchanged perspectives on how to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with India, expand security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and increase cooperation in Afghanistan," the White House stated.

The United States has slapped tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from India to reduce the US trade deficit and boost American manufacturing jobs.

Though India has threatened to revenge, it is said it can take the action only at the end of the month.

US official said that Trump is planning to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

If military presence in Afghanistan was reduced, the US would have to reduce training and advising Afghan forces and waging an air campaign against the Taliban and other terrorist groups.