A head of India’s budget on February 1st, Narendra Modi asked Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, to bless the poor and the middle class. The prime minister’s request for divine intervention mingled public spirit with political self-interest: frustration about economic growth and joblessness contributed to Mr Modi’s loss of his outright majority in elections held last year.

PM Modi marked 75 years of India being a republic. He expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the Constitution and emphasised the importance of democracy, dignity, and unity for a prosperous India.

The two leaders share cordial relations but experts say US's concerns over tariffs, illegal immigration might strain bilateral ties.

President Trump has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House next week for a working visit, a White House official confirmed to The Hill. Modi will travel to Washington D.C. for a two-day visit.