Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public meeting on a recent visit to Odisha, revealed that he had politely turned down the dinner invitation of former US President Donald Trump. The incident took place at the time when PM Modi was returning to India after attending the G7 summit held in Canada. PM Modi said that Trump had invited him to come to Washington via America and meet at dinner. However, Modi thanked Trump and said that he found it more necessary to come to the land of Odisha, ie Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath.
Modi said in his speech, “Trump told me that when you are returning from Canada, come to Washington and meet at dinner. I said – Thank you for the invitation, but I need to go to Mahaprabhu’s land.” This statement not only reflects Modi’s religious faith but also highlights the policy of giving priority to the internal tours of his country and the public.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit took place on the occasion of the completion of one year of the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Odisha. On this occasion, he laid the foundation stone and inaugurated 105 development projects costing ₹ 18,600 crore in the state. These projects include many important functions related to road, health, energy and irrigation. In his speech, Modi described Odisha as the land of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and said that it is the priority of his government to bring Eastern India into the mainstream of development.
On this entire matter, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told the media that PM Modi rejected Trump’s invitation because he had some predetermined commitments. Along with this, PM Modi also invited Trump to come to India, which Trump accepted positively.
During a conversation with Trump, PM Modi reiterated India’s clear policy that the country does not accept any third party mediation in its internal affairs. This statement is also important in the context when Trump had earlier expressed his arbitration on the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan. PM Modi also underlined that India is adopting a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, and will not be relaxed. Trump appreciated this stance.
This development has once again made it clear that Prime Minister Modi also gives priority to his religious, cultural and national duties on international diplomatic forums. This decision to join the people of Odisha and to speed up its development is a symbol of a major political and human vision, which creates a distinct identity of their leadership.
