US President Donald Trump on Thursday offered to sell state-of-the-art fighter jets to India as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to ramp up trade, rekindling a bond that defies the new US administration's punitive approach to much of the world.

Standing alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday, US President Donald Trump referred to China as a "very important player in the world," adding that Beijing could play a key role in resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Tariffs, deportations and a brewing storm over Iran could unsettle ties held together by shared concerns over China.