Trump may visit India as part of East Asia tour

Modi had invested immense political capital and time to ensure that India-US relations with President Barack Obama reach great heights.

When Trump came to power, his "America first" policy and Modi's "Make in India" policy were bound to clash.

Thus, when Trump withdrew from the Paris climate agreement accusing India of demanding billions for complying with the agreement's stipulations, it was an uneasy beginning.

A few months into his presidency, Trump invited Modi to visit the US and accorded him a red carpet welcome. Modi became the first foreign leader to dine at the White House after Trump came to power.

The visit helped them to form a warm working relationship and discuss issues of strategic importance such as the situation in Afghanistan, North Korea, Malabar naval exercises etc.

Trump had made it clear that Washington "can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations… that pose a threat to the region."

Syed Salahuddin, Kashmiri militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen's supreme commander was designated a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist," upholding India's position that Pakistan is fuelling Kashmiri separatism.

Trump also urged Pakistan to expedite the process of bringing 26/11 perpetrators to justice.

When US defense secretary James Mattis visited India, the two countries tried to deepen their defense ties by identifying projects for collaboration.

India plans to manufacture F-16 and F-18A fighter planes under 'Make in India' through technology sharing with American companies Boeing and Lockheed Martin, respectively.

This visit also allowed the countries to discuss China's growing influence and Pakistan's cross-border terrorism in the region.

When unveiling US' Afghanistan policy, Trump highlighted the importance of India's role for developing Afghanistan.

Earlier, though US welcomed economic assistance, it never encouraged India's military presence in Afghanistan, afraid that it might hurt Pakistan.

But, Trump has flipped this approach by taking a hard-line against Pakistan festering terrorist organizations in the region and welcoming India's military role in ensuring stability.

Though there is no talk of Trump visiting India, his daughter Ivanka Trump is scheduled to come to Hyderabad for a Global Entrepreneur Summit in November-end, maybe setting the stage for a Presidential visit in upcoming months.

Trump's Asia visit, apart from strengthening alliances, may confront the "North Korean threat."

If he makes a stopover in India, it would herald newer heights for India-US relations.