PM Narendra Modi to visit US later this year

The White House today released details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump's telephonic conversation from this week.

Trump had called Modi to wish him on the Bharatiya Janata Party's recent electoral successes in the five-state Assembly polls.

The BJP won massively in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The party also went on to form the governments in Manipur and Goa despite coming in second to Congress. The wins are being seen as a referendum on PM Modi's leadership abilities.

The White House said that Trump expressed support for Modi's economic reform agenda and that he would host the Indian prime minister later this year in Washington.

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

This was Trump and Modi's third telephonic conversation since the former took office as the president of the US.

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

Modi and Trump previously spoke on January 24, when they resolved to stand "shoulder-to-shoulder" in the global fight against terrorism and for defence and security.

The White House had then said that Trump had "emphasised that the US considers India a true friend and partner in addressing challenges around the world."

PM Modi was the fifth foreign leader Trump spoke to on phone after being sworn in as the US President on January 20.

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

(With inputs from agencies)

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