PM Modi, Trump share personal rapport at G20; agree to reseolve trade issues

United States President Donald Trump met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on day one of the G20 summit and the two agreed to resolve trade issues which have been bone of contention between in the ties between the two nations. 

Both leaders agreed that trade issues need to be discussed and trade ministers of both countries will be meeting soon to resolve issues, the date of which is being decided.

While PM Modi said that New Delhi was "committed to India-US ties", Trump congratulated him for his re-election. "You deserve it. You have done a great job," Trump told Modi. 

"We have become great friends and our countries have never been closer...We'll work together in many ways including military," Trump added.

Trump had a bilateral with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after which both together came to the room in which PM Modi was present. 

At around 9.15 am local time, the JAI - Japan America, India - trilateral began which was followed by the Modi-Trump bilateral. 

Addressing the media after the meeting, Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said India has reduced oil imports from Iran.

"Despite its impact on the Indian economy, we have been able to sustain the position," Gokhale said. This is the first public acknowledgement by India that it is reducing import of oil from Iran, which supplies 11% of India's energy needs.

In the meeting with Trump, Modi outlined India's energy concerns and large diaspora in the region which could be affected due to US-Iran tensions.

On Huawei 5G issue, the foreign secretary said, "The main issue was to bring in focus on how we can work to leverage our markets, our capabilities, and our desire to make in India."

India is the 2nd largest market of mobiles and India's discussion on to use or not to use allow China's Huawei for 5G will have a major global impact.

No discussions happened on the India-Russia deal of S-400 defence systems, on which the US has been raising concerns.

During the JAI trilateral between Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, US President Donal Trump and Modi, focus was on Indo-Pacific region.

"JAI means victory... we have a common interest on Indo Pacific," Modi said. 

This is the second meet of JAI after the first meeting in Argentina in 2018 on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

All three leaders were seen sharing personal rapport. 

In the evening, the three leaders were seen sitting together at the dinner hosted by Japan PM for the guests.