Bhubaneswar, June 20, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed on Friday that he politely declined a dinner invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump, prioritizing his scheduled visit to Odisha instead.
Modi, addressing a large public gathering in Bhubaneswar ahead of the Rath Yatra festival, recalled receiving Trump’s call while attending the G7 Summit in Canada. The U.S. President “insisted” that Modi stop in Washington for dinner and a conversation on his return .
Modi said he responded, “Thank you for the invitation. But it is very important for me to go to the land of Mahaprabhu,” referring to Lord Jagannath and the spiritual significance of Odisha. He underscored that his commitment was to attend public events, including flagging off key development projects, during the visit .
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later confirmed that Modi had to refuse the invitation due to prior commitments in Odisha. During their 35-minute phone conversation, Modi also briefed Trump on India’s Operation Sindoor. He emphasized that India’s diplomatic stance remains firm: no third-party mediation would be accepted, and terrorism would now be treated as “acts of war” .
Modi’s visit to Odisha marked one year of BJP rule in the state. During the event, he inaugurated 105 development schemes worth ₹18,600 crore, flags off railway connectivity extensions, and unveiled the “Odisha Vision Document” focusing on infrastructure, health, transportation, and cultural heritage .
