The U.S. and India are "friends who can help each other all around the world," said visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a joint news conference with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Pompeo's India visit comes as the two countries grapple with issues ranging from access to Indian markets for American firms to New Delhi's demand for foreign companies to store Indian data in the country, and exports of steel and aluminum to the United States.

The current differences were expressed "in the spirit of friendship," he added.

The trade disputes have led to higher tariffs by the two countries and created unease over the depth of their security alliance.

Just days before Pompeo's visit, India slapped higher retaliatory tariffs on 28 U.S. products following Washington's withdrawal of key trade privileges for New Delhi.

India's ties with Russia and Iran, both now subject to U.S. sanctions, are also a sore point.

The missile deal with Moscow and Iranian oil imports were both discussed during their meeting, Jaishankar and Pompeo said, but mentioned no resolution of either at the news conference.

Jaishankar told Pompeo that New Delhi would be guided by its national interest when it comes to purchasing defense systems from Russia.

"We have relationships with several countries, many of which are of some standing. They have a history. We will do what is in our national interest," Jaishankar said. 

"We had a discussion on defense cooperation. It is important to display trust and confidence in each other if we want this to grow."

New Delhi is procuring S-400 missile defense system from Russia. The United States has sought the cancellation of the purchase, over which India would face the risk of U.S. sanctions.

Pompeo paid an unannounced visit to the Afghan capital on Tuesday on his way to New Delhi.

During his brief stay, the U.S. top diplomat held meeting with Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to exchange views on matters pertaining mutual interests including the peace talks with the Taliban.

The seventh round of talks between the U.S. special envoy for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban representatives will be held in Qatar's capital Doha next week.