New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to visit India. The dates of his visit, however, are yet to be finalised. Confirming the development, India’s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, “Yes, President Trump has accepted PM’s invitation to visit India… we don’t have more details on this.”
Earlier, during a joint press statement with Trump, Modi said, “I would like to invite you to India, along with your family. And I hope that you will give me the opportunity to welcome you and host you in India.”
Thanking Trump for the warm hospitality in the US, Modi said, “Right from the opening tweet to the end of our talks, President Trump’s welcome, which was filled with friendliness, his warm welcome to the White House by himself and the First Lady, I would like to thank both of you from the bottom of my heart for this warm welcome.”
“Friends, we are not just partners by chance. We are also partners in dealing with current and future challenges that we may be faced with. Today, during our meeting, we discussed the serious challenges of terrorism, extremism, and radicalization, which are the major challenges facing the world. And we have agreed to enhance our cooperation in fighting against these scourges. Fighting terrorism and doing away with the safe shelters, sanctuaries, and safe havens will be an important part of our cooperation,” Modi added.
Trump also praised Modi’s leadership and said, “I am thrilled to salute you, Prime Minister Modi, and the Indian people for all that you are accomplishing together. Your accomplishments have been vast. India has the fastest growing economy in the world… Prime Minister Modi, thank you again for joining me today, and for visiting our country and our wonderful White House and Oval Office.”
So far seven visits by US Presidents to India have taken place. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first US President to visit India in December 1959 when he not only met President Rajendra Prasad and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, but also addressed Indian Parliament.
Richard Nixon was the next US President to visit India in August 1969. His visit was followed by Jimmy Carter’s visit in January 1978.
After this, there was a long period of lull, which was ended by President Bill Clinton’s visit in March 2000 on invitation of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
President George W Bush visited in India in March 2006, when the iconic US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement was signed after his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Barack Obama was the only US President to visit India twice in his tenure, in November 2010 and January 2015.
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