US vice-president JD Vance has hailed what he called “very good progress” on a trade agreement between Washington and New Delhi, in comments during the highest level visit to India yet by an official of Donald Trump’s second administration.

In a speech in the north-western city of Jaipur, Vance praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a serious leader who has thought deeply about India’s future prosperity and security”, while also describing him as a “very tough negotiator” who “drives a hard bargain”.

Vance’s description of the US-India partnership as one of the most important diplomatic relationships in the world — and his generally warm words for New Delhi — contrast with the hostility the Trump administration has shown towards many traditional friends and allies.