US considers India a true friend: Trump

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday pledged to work closely with Donald Trump after the new US president invited him to Washington, looking to ensure an upturn in ties survives a change at the White House.

After their first phone call since Trump's inauguration, the leaders of the world's two largest democracies both indicated they had had a warm conversation and extended mutual invitations to their respective capitals.

Writing on Twitter, Modi said he "had a warm conversation" with the new US president and that they had both "agreed to work closely in the coming days to further strengthen our bilateral ties".

"Have also invited President Trump to visit India," Modi added after the White House revealed Washington had extended a similar invite.

During the call, Trump emphasised that the United States "considers India a true friend and partner in addressing challenges around the world," according to a White House readout of the call.

"The two discussed opportunities to strengthen the partnership between the United States and India in broad areas such as the economy and defense.

"President Trump looked forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi in the United States later this year."

During his election campaign, Trump courted Indian-American voters and even released a campaign advertisement in Hindi for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights -- albeit in a thick US accent.