Trump, known for his strong rapport with PM Modi, is expected to build on the achievements of his first term and further strengthen ties with India, according to his South Asia point-person from the White House during his initial tenure.

Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to president Trump, told PTI she expected the same bumps for India and the US, as in Trump's first term, including tariff, dependence on Russia over arms supply and oil purchase from Iran.

Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to President Trump and as National Security Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, said she expected the same bumps for India and the US, as in Trump's first term, including tariff, dependence on Russia over arms supply and oil purchase from Iran. Curtis, however, said both countries could never enter an alliance but develop a partnership that is 'short of an alliance'. She hoped them to achieve a cooperation that deters China, but also prepares both countries in case of a crisis or conflict, be it in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, or another flare-up on the India-China border.

Donald Trump, is expected to build on the progress made during his first term and continue strengthening ties with India.