India, Feb. 14 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he believes that only one person in the world holds the "copyright" to the word "deal," and that person is US President Donald Trump.

The remark came during a joint press conference at the White House following bilateral talks with President Trump.

PM Modi was asked whether he had discussed any potential business deals with Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a close ally of Trump.

In response, Modi said, "I have known Elon Musk for a long time. Even before I became prime minister, when I was the chief minister, I knew him. Today, he came to meet me with his family, including his children, and we had a casual conversation in a family setting."

"As far as the word 'deal...