A book written by two Washington Post journalists claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was left shocked after meeting US president Donald Trump. Apparently, the latter once claimed that India should not be worried about China because the two don't share a border. "It's not like you've got China on your border," Trump told Modi, Phillip Rucker and Carol Leonning reported in A Very Stable Genius, according to an excerpt in Washington Post.
According to the writers, Modi's "eyes bulged out in surprise" and his expression "gradually shifted, from shock and concern to resignation"; one of the Trump's aides felt Modi likely "left that meeting and said, 'This is not a serious man. I cannot count on this man as a partner'," according to the publication.
The book's title refers to a Trump's statement describing himself. “Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart,” said Trump. “I went from VERY successful businessman, to top TV Star... to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius... and a very stable genius at that!”
.At the same time, relations between India and the US are on an uptick. US President Donald Trump could make his first-ever state visit to India by the latter half of February. The exact date of Trump's proposed visit is expected to be confirmed subject to the progress of the impeachment proceedings against him in the US Senate.
The Hindu reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reiterated an invitation to Trump to visit India during a phone conversation between the two leaders on January 7. Modi had invited Trump to be the chief guest at the 2019 Republic Day Parade, but the US leader declined, citing scheduling constraints.
The Hindu quoted sources as saying "Security and logistics teams from Washington are expected in Delhi this week to prepare for a possible visit by US President Donald Trump."
Trump would be the fourth successive US president to visit India after Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Obama, in fact, visited India twice: In 2010 and in 2015, when he was the first US leader to be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade