Narendra Modi wants better ties with US: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting an invitation from the U.S. Government and President Barack Obama in particular is a step in the right direction, adding that India has always wanted good relations with the United States.

Rajiv Pratap Rudy told ANI, "The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, who was in India recently, has extended the invite of the U.S. President Obama to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to meet at the sidelines of the General Assembly Meet, which Mr. Modi is possibly going to attend in September."

"It is nothing very unusual. Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world getting an invitation from the U.S. President is a right step. It would go a long way in bridging the gap and strengthening the relationship between India and U.S.A.," he added.

Rudy also told ANI, "The day election results were announced, Barrack Obama was the first one to call and congratulate the P.M."

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns delivered a letter from President Obama to Prime Minister Narendra Modi inviting him to USA.

In his letter, President Obama reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Washington in September and said he was looking forward to working closely with Prime Minister Modi to make India-U.S. relations a defining partnership for the 21st Century.

The Prime Minister reiterated his desire to strengthen relations with all neighbours.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, US Charge d'Affaires Kathleen Stephens, and the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal were also present during the Modi-Burns meeting.