Afghanistan, Jan. 8 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed increasing cooperation between New Delhi and Washington in Afghanistan in a telephone call on Monday, the White House said.

According to a statement released by White House, the two leaders also discussed reducing U.S. trade deficit with India.

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

The latest telephone discussion between Trump and Modi takes place days after reports emerged regarding the possible withdrawal...