New Delhi, June 26 -- Amid trade barriers issues and admittance of differences on defence ties between India and Russia or oil import from Iran, the US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Wednesday described India and the US as "friends who can help each other".

The visiting US Secretary of State, laying the ground for a smooth bilateral engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Donald Trump later this week, sought to reduce trade tension with New Delhi.

On the vexed issues of "trade disputes and S-400 Triumf procurement programme of India from Russia", Mr Pompeo went on to say: "I see the two issues as real opportunities, I know that we can work together and provide a foundation for the relationship."

Th...