Why PM Modi declined Trump’s invitation to the US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed on Friday that he declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit Washington, choosing instead to travel to Odisha — the sacred land of Lord Jagannath.

Addressing a public rally in Bhubaneswar during the first anniversary celebrations of the BJP-led government in Odisha, PM Modi recounted:

"Just two days ago, I was in Canada for the G7 summit and the US President Trump called me. He said, since you have come to Canada, go via Washington, we will have dinner together and talk. He extended the invitation with great insistence. I told the US President, thank you for the invitation. It is very important for me to go to the land of Mahaprabhu and hence I politely declined his invitation and your love and devotion to Mahaprabhu brought me to this land," says PM Narendra Modi.

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Modi’s statement drew loud cheers from the crowd, as he underlined his commitment to the people and cultural heritage of Odisha.

During the visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹18,600 crore, reinforcing the Centre’s focus on infrastructure, connectivity, and welfare in the eastern state.

The remark was widely seen as both a gesture of cultural reverence and political symbolism, ahead of the BJP’s efforts to further consolidate its base in Odisha.