Washington sources reported that US President Donald Trump is unable to participate as Chief Guest of India's Republic Day celebrations next year due to scheduling constraints. As per report Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited President Trump for a bilateral visit to India during their talks in Washington last year.
Meanwhile White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had, in July, said that Donald Trump has received an invitation to visit India, but no decision has been taken yet. A White House spokesperson told PTI on Monday, when asked about Donald Trump's decision on PM Modi's invitation "President Trump was honored by Prime Minister Modi's invitation for him to be Chief Guest of India's Republic Day on January 26, 2019 but is unable to participate due to scheduling constraints”.
Moreover it is said that the annual State of the Union (SOTU) address to both Houses of the US Congress by Donald Trump is likely to be around the time India will celebrate its Republic Day and the SOTU is normally delivered in the last week of January or first week of February. The spokesperson said "The President enjoys a strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Modi developed through two meetings and several phone calls and remains committed to deepening the US-India strategic partnership”.
