PRESIDENT Barack Obama's administration is gearing up to give a red carpet welcome to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi when he visits the US later this month.
Modi arrives in Washington on September 29 from New York where he is set to attend the annual General Assembly session of the United Nations.
Both leaders are expected to discuss defense and strategic ties, co-operation in the field of space and counter-terrorism as well as economic and trade ties.
On September 29, Obama is likely to host a small working dinner for Modi, a privilege rarely accorded to a visiting foreign leader.
Soon after the conclusion of the Indian elections in May, Obama rang Modi to congratulate him and invited him to visit Washington.
Since then the two leaders have not spoken over phone, but there has been an exchange of letters between them.
US officials said India under Modi will play a key role not only in south Asia, but also in south east Asia.
Indeed, the India-US relationship has been identified as one of the top four priorities by both Obama and secretary of state John Kerry this year, officials said.
“The two leaders will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership. They will discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world,” the White House had said in a statement earlier while formally announcing the visit.
After a dinner on September 29, the two leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House for talks the next day.
