Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be among the first world dignitaries to meet the newly appointed President of the United States, Donald Trump. Reports suggest that the Indian Prime Minister may undertake a trip to the US once Assembly elections in five states are over.
According to a report in the Economic Times, both India and US are looking forward to have an early meeting Prime Minister Modi and President Trump to sustain the momentum in bilateral ties that has picked up in recent years, especially after the formation of new government in India in May 2016.
While no dates have yet been fixed for a visit, it will most likely happen after the assembly polls, the report said. Assembly polls in five states will be held between February 4 and March 8. Results will be declared on March 11.
If Modi travels to the US post-completion of polls, this will be his fourth visit to America after he took over as the Prime Minister of India.
The first time he made a visit was in 2014 for bilateral talks with then President Barack Obama. Next year, he visited the US to address the United Nations General Assembly. During his last visit in 2016, the PM had addressed a joint session of the US Congress.
Earlier this week, during a phone call, Trump invited PM Modi to visit Washington and emphasised that the United States considers India a true friend and partner in addressing challenges around the world.
The Indian Prime Minister was one of the first world leaders Trump telephoned since his inauguration on January 20, signalling his administration’s intent to give priority to the strategic partnership between the two democracies.
“President Trump looked forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi in the United States later this year,” according to the White House readout from the call.
Modi, on his part, also invited Trump to visit India.
“Had a warm conversation with President Trump last evening. President and I agreed to work closely in the coming days to further strengthen our bilateral ties. Have also invited President Trump to visit India,” he had tweeted.
The two had also discussed opportunities to strengthen the partnership between the US and India in broad areas such as the economy and defence.