PM Modi thanks Trump for warm welcome, looks forward to discussions

Hours after landing in Washington D.C., Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked United States President Donald Trump for the warm welcome rendered to him, while saying that he was looking forward to discussions with the latter.

"Thank you @POTUS for the warm personal welcome. Greatly look forward to my meeting and discussions with you @realDonaldTrump," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi touched down at the Andrews Air Force base hours back to a warm welcome by expat Indians waving flags and the customary "Modi Modi Modi Modi" chant.

Prime Minister Modi was received by the Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Navtej Sarna, and his wife, Aveena.

"We are here to welcome the Prime Minister. We will be delighted to meet him," said an expat, just before the arrival of Prime Minister Modi.

"We expect a lot from Prime Minister Modi. We think he is a great leader. So I came to see and meet him," said another.

Taking to Twitter, the U.S. President had earlier announced that he has important issues to discuss with his 'true friend' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ahead of Modi reaching Washington D.C. for a state visit, the President tweeted, "Look forward to welcoming India's PM Modi to @WhiteHouse on Monday. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend!"

United States Senator Kamala Harris also welcomed Modi in a tweet.

"I welcome Indian PM @NarendraModi to the United States and reaffirm the unbreakable bonds between our two nations," she tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi would be the first world leader to have a working dinner with Trump at the White House on Monday.

Speaking ahead of the visit, India's Ambassador to the U.S., Navtej Sarna, said that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump would discuss crucial issues such as counter-terrorism, security and cyber security.

The upcoming meeting, which is deemed to be one that can significantly strengthen bilateral relations between the two democracies, will also include an interactive session with the Indian-American community as well as 20-odd top CEOs in Washington.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that he is expecting a very robust discussion to take place between the two leaders.