India’s Prime Minister visits the US

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

NEW DELHI, June 26 (APD) - India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington on Sunday. Besides the US, he will also be visiting Portugal, and Netherlands in the next four days.

On Sunday, President Trump welcomed Modi tweeting "Look forward to welcoming India's PM Modi to @WhiteHouse on Monday. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend."

This will be Prime Minister Modi’s first meeting with the US President Donald Trump. According to reports, Modi will be the first foreign dignitary to be hosted by Trump for a dinner at the White House.

Speaking to the media a senior administration official said, “The White House is very interested in making this a special visit. We're really seeking to roll out the red carpet. In fact, the two (leaders) will have dinner, a working dinner at the White House. This will be the first dinner for a foreign dignitary at the White House under this administration. So, we think that's very significant."

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the two leaders "will discuss ongoing cooperation, including counterterrorism, defence partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, global cooperation, burden-sharing, trade, law enforcement and energy."

Shortly after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi addressed Indian Americans in Washington DC. He spoke about various issues including cross-border terrorism and surgical strikes.

Modi said that for “sovereignty, security, common good, peace and progress, India was prepared to undertake the hardest of steps.”

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)