New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump , amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan after the latter decided to downgrade bilateral ties in response to India’s scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

During his telephonic talk, the Prime Minister made an indirect reference to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's extreme rhetoric against India, and said such incitement to anti-India violence was not conducive to peace.

PM highlighted the importance of creating an environment free from terror and violence and eschewing cross-border terrorism without exception.

According to a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Modi had a 30-minute-long telephonic conversation with Trump during which they discussed bilateral and regional issues. The conversation was marked by the "warmth and cordiality" which characterises the relations between the two leaders, it said.

In the context of the regional situation, Modi stated that extreme rhetoric and incitement to anti-India violence by certain leaders in the region was not conducive to peace, the release said.

"The Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to cooperate with anyone who followed this path, in fighting poverty, illiteracy and disease," it added.

The Prime Minister also recalled their meeting in Osaka on the margins of G-20 summit in end-June earlier this year.

Referring to their bilateral discussions in Osaka, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the Commerce Minister of India and the US Trade Representative would meet at an early date to discuss bilateral trade prospects for  mutual benefit, the PMO tweeted.

The Prime Minister stated that he appreciated remaining in regular touch with the US President.