Trump invites PM Modi to visit US later this year

The Dollar Business Bureau 

Calling India a ‘true friend’ of the United States, President Donald Trump extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting the country later this year, a spokesperson of the White House said on Wednesday. Both the leaders had a conversation over phone on Tuesday night and discussed various issues such as trade, terrorism and defence.

“During a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, President Trump emphasised that the US considers India a true friend and partner in addressing challenges around the world,” it said in a readout of the conversation.

“The US President is looking forward to host Prime Minister Modi later this year,” it added.

The two leaders talked about opportunities to boost partnership between the two nations in broad fields such as defence and economy.

In addition, the two leaders had also discussed security issues in the South and Central Asian region. Prime Minister Modi and President Trump resolved that India and the US stand shoulder-to-shoulder to fight against terrorism, the readout said.

After Trump’s historic victory in November 8 elections, Prime Minister Modi was among the first five leaders of the world to have congratulated him.

During his election campaign, India is amongst the few nations with whom Trump is said to be warming up to and looking forward to sharing a strong relation if elected to office.

After Trump was sworn-in as the 45th President of the US, he spoke to Modi on Tuesday night over phone. Before that he spoke with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on January 21.

On Sunday, he spoke with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and on Tuesday he had a telephonic conversation with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.