New Delhi, Delhi, India

India has invited US President Donald Trump as the chief guest for Republic Day.

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Quoting sources, news agency ANI reported on Friday that an invite has been sent to Trump.

Earlier reports said that Trump is expected to reply in the affirmative. 

The reports said the invite was sent to Trump in April and that it was followed by several rounds of diplomatic engagement. 

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Should he come, the Modi government will think of Trump's visit as a major coup. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama was Modi's first Republic Day chief guest in 2015. 

But it is not a done deal yet. And remember, Trump is unpredictable. 

Also remember, the Americans are not comfortable with India's historical and close ties with Iran.

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Nikki Haley recently told India to rethink its ties with Iran. She added that in the US' eyes, Iran was the next North Korea. 

Also read: India to act in 'national interest' as Iran-US tussle intensifies, government sources tell WION

Iran is also a major oil supplier to India. 

Nor has the US been very happy about India's choosing of the Russian S-400 missile defence system over the US' Thaad system. 

And of course, Trump has also mentioned the "high" tariffs India slaps on American goods. India also has a trade surplus with the US although it pales in comparison with the size of China's surplus. 

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