Nepal, Sept. 6 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday New Delhi and Washington still shared "very positive" ties, after US President Donald Trump reaffirmed their personal friendship and downplayed his earlier remarks about "losing India" to China.

The exchange comes amid strains after Washington imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian imports, accusing New Dehli of fuelling Moscow's deadly attacks on Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil.

But Trump and Modi, both right-wing populists, have shared a strong bond since the US president's first term.

Related story India's Modi says ties with US still 'very positive'

"Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties,"...