WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he loves India and has great respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said would be talking to Modi very soon. During the Diwali celebrations at the White House, Trump told Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna: "I'll be talking to him soon. Thank you."

"He looks forward to seeing you, Sarna replied. Trump later told the top Indian diplomat, who was a special invitee to the White House Diwali celebrations, that he loves India. "We love your country. I have great, great respect for, as you know, Prime Minister Modi -- tremendous respect. So just please give my warmest regards," said the US President.

Trump and Modi enjoy a strong personal friendship.

In September at a United Nations session, Trump had asked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to convey his greeting to Modi and said that he loves India.

When Swaraj told the US president that she has brought greetings from, Trump responded: "I love India, give my regards to my friend PM Modi, Indian diplomatic sources told PTI.

During his presidential campaign, Trump had praised Modi for the economic and bureaucratic reforms in the country.

The US president had hosted Modi at the White House in June last year.

Trump and Modi are slated to attend the G-20 Summit in Argentina on November 30 and December 1, where there is a likelihood of a meeting between the two. The White House has not made any announcement in this regard so far.

(With PTI inputs)