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"As long as I am President, they (India) have a great friend in the White House...Everyone here loves India, and they have tremendous respect for this (PM Narendra Modi) man," he added.

"People say he's such a nice man. I said he's very tough. He's a tough trader, and he loves the Indian people, but he also loves the USA.

We had 'Howdy Modi' in Houston. The stadium was full... We'll be going to India sometime in the future," Trump said.

In a potent remark, Trump, putting on display his bonhomie with the Indian leader, said his country would come to India's help should any country attack it. He, however, put a condition: PM Modi should be the leader.

"I think it is a great relationship...If they were attacked, we would be there to help them...If anybody attacks that man, we are going to be there...If they are attacked and he (PM Modi) is the leader, we are going to be there to help," he said.