DIPLOMACY

Modi to visit Washington this year: White House

Modi-in-us-townhall [File photo] Trump also expressed support for Modi's (pictured) economic reform agenda

Trump spoke to Modi on Tuesday and congratulated him on the recent election results

US President Donald Trump spoke by phone to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and said he looked forward to playing host to a visit by Modi to Washington later this year.

The White House said Trump spoke with Modi to congratulate him on the outcome of recent state-level elections. Trump expressed support for Modi's economic reform agenda.

"President Trump also said he looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi in Washington later this year," the White House said in a statement. However, no date for the visit was mentioned.

The two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Germany in July.

Previously, Modi and Trump talked by phone on January 24, when they had resolved to stand "shoulder-to-shoulder" in the global fight against terrorism and for defence and security.

According to a White House statement then, Trump had "emphasised that the US considers India a true friend and partner in addressing challenges around the world."

Prime Minister Modi was the fifth foreign leader Trump had spoken to on phone after he was sworn-in as the US President on January 20.

He had by then spoken to British Prime Minister Theresa May, Canada's Justin Trudeau, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

After Trump's surprise victory in the November 8 elections, Modi was among the first world leaders to congratulate him. 

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