India, Sept. 22 -- Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "friendship" with global leaders, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, in his first public event since assuming the post, on Monday expressed hope for better India-US relations despite the imposition of huge trade tariffs by Donald Trump's administration.

"Even as 50% (import) duty (or tariff) has been put on India by the US, Trump continues to say, 'Modi is my great friend'. Even in that situation, he has not said he is against Modi," Radhakrishnan said on Monday as he released four books of PM Modi's selected speeches.

"Modi is a great friend of Putin. He is a great friend of Trump. At the same time, (Chinese President) Xi Jinping, despite the differences of international politics, ...