India, June 17 -- As US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met for bilateral talks in France on Wednesday, a question was asked to the Republican: "Do you expect India to play any role in West Asia?". Trump's response was in the affirmative, and full of praises for PM Modi.

"Yeah I do, I think India plays a big role in everything. As long he (Modi) is the leader, India plays a big role," Trump said, evoking a smile from PM Modi, who was seated next to him. The US President also said that in India everyone has "tremendous" respect for PM Modi. Follow live updates on the Trump-Modi meeting here.

Trump reportedly also said that India and the US are working on important trade deals.

Trump's remarks on India possibly pl...