A head of India’s budget on February 1st, Narendra Modi asked Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, to bless the poor and the middle class. The prime minister’s request for divine intervention mingled public spirit with political self-interest: frustration about economic growth and joblessness contributed to Mr Modi’s loss of his outright majority in elections held last year.

The two leaders, in their first phone call, also discussed their upcoming visits. US President Donald Trump is expected to visit India for the Quad Leaders' Smmit later this year. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi may visit US in the coming months.

The two leaders share cordial relations but experts say US's concerns over tariffs, illegal immigration might strain bilateral ties.

Opposition lawmakers in India's parliament are protesting the US deportations of Indian immigrants. A US military plane carrying 104 Indian migrants-- deported as part of US President Donald Trump's immigration agenda-- landed in northern India's Punjab State on Wednesday.