India will continue to bring down tariffs and phase out additional levies on imports as domestic manufacturing improves, a top finance ministry official said, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.

The two leaders share cordial relations but experts say US's concerns over tariffs, illegal immigration might strain bilateral ties.

Opposition lawmakers in India's parliament are protesting the US deportations of Indian immigrants. A US military plane carrying 104 Indian migrants-- deported as part of US President Donald Trump's immigration agenda-- landed in northern India's Punjab State on Wednesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took holy dips in sacred river waters in the northern city of Prayagraj on Wednesday as he joined millions of people at the Maha Kumbh Mela, a week after dozens died in a stampede at the event.

India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a ritual river dip on Wednesday at the world's largest religious festival, a week after a stampede killed at least 30 pilgrims. More than 380 million people have so far taken a dip in the rivers during the festival,