New Delhi, Oct. 28 -- US President Donald Trump began one of the most eventful days of his Asia trip on Tuesday by extending a warm welcome to Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, at Tokyo's Akasaka Palace. The meeting underscored both personal diplomacy and high-stakes economics, as the two leaders inked fresh deals on trade and critical minerals - areas central to both nations' strategic ambitions.

"It's a very strong handshake," Trump lavished praises on Japan's PM Takaichi remarked as the pair posed for photographers.

Donald Trump, who has often been forthright in his dealings with global counterparts, was uncharacteristically effusive. "Everything I know from Shinzo and others, you will be one of the great prime min...