India, US officials chalking out plans for PM Modi’s visit to White House: Report

The Indian officials are currently in talks with their US counterparts to finalise the schedule of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to the White House later this year, Reuters news agency reported citing a Washington official.According to the report, the dates have not yet been decided. But the possibility of the Indian PM’s visit to the US gained ground following the meeting between Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington recently.

During the meeting, both countries pledged to deepen ties on military equipment, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

US President Joe Biden is expected to visit New Delhi in September for the G20 meetings hosted by India.

The American president is also expected to meet with Modi during a mid-year meeting of the Quad countries, which is hosted by Australia and also includes Japan.

The visit takes place in the backdrop of growing Chinese influence and the import of Russian oil by India.Washington wants New Delhi to distance from Russia with which it participated in military exercises and is purchasingcrude oil.

Moreover, in the wake of a potential threat from China, India on Wednesday hiked its military expenses for the upcoming year by 13 per cent to $72.6 billion as it seeks to add more fighter jets and roads along its tense border with Beijing.

India and China share a 2,100-mile (3,400-kilometre) frontier that has been disputed since the 1950s.

(With inputs from agencies)

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