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Trump, Modi Agree to Boost Cooperation in Afghanistan

© AP Photo / Michael Kappeler/Pool PhotoIndia's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in conversation with U.S. president Donald Trump during a working session of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, July 8, 2017
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in conversation with U.S. president Donald Trump during a working session of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, July 8, 2017 - Sputnik International
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Unlike the White House's statement, the release issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not mention subjects discussed between the two countries while one participant clearly stated that the two had discussed the trade deficit and Afghanistan.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump discussed a range of bilateral issues including their co-operation in Afghanistan in a telephone conversation on Monday.

The phone call took place a few days after the controversial remark made by Trump wherein he belittled India's assistance to help build a library in Afghanistan.

READ MORE: 'We Don't Want Syria': Trump Upholds US Exit From Country of 'Sand and Death'

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

U.S. Marines scan the northwest perimeter of the American military compound at Afghanistan's Kandahar airport using sophisticated thermal imagery equipment, while Marines in light armored vehicles, supported by U.S. special forces and helicopters, search houses outside the perimeter of the airfield, Monday Jan. 14, 2002 - Sputnik International
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Interestingly enough, the statement issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs did not mention the subjects discussed between the two countries. 

"The two leaders took positive note of growing bilateral cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism and energy and coordination on regional and global issues. They agreed to continue to work together for further strengthening India-US bilateral relations in 2019", the statement issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs reads.

India had strongly contested Trump's dig at Modi and said that "India firmly believes in the critical role that developmental assistance can play in transforming human lives. India does not send its armed forces abroad except under the specific mandate of UN Peacekeeping Operations".

READ MORE: Trump's Remark a Departure From His Past Stance — Pakistan Foreign Ministry

India has been Afghanistan's close ally and has committed over $3 billion to various development projects in the landlocked country, as well as financing its new parliament building.

For last few weeks, proposed changes to the US policy in Syria and Afghanistan have expedited the consultations among regional players like India and Russia. Trump is planning to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US troops currently stationed in Afghanistan.

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