Narendra Modi Wanted to Have Dinner With Donald Trump at Camp David, But The US Denied, Claims Book
The book has a small segment on India and June 26, 2017 visit of PM Modi to the White House.
New Delhi, Sep 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to have a dinner with US President Donald Trump at Camp David, the picturesque presidential resort; however, the Washington stuck to the scheduled programme, well-known American author Bob Woodward has claimed in his latest book titled 'Fear: Trump in the White House'. Woodward claimed PM Modi wanted to develop a personal bond with Trump.
"The prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, who had been courted assiduously by (Barack) Obama, was coming for a visit to the United States in June to see Trump. India was the counterweight to Pakistan, which was giving the new administration as much trouble as it had given previous ones by hedging maddeningly on terrorism. Modi wanted to go to Camp David and have dinner, bond with Trump," Woodward writes in the book, as reported by news agency PTI. On 9/11 Anniversary State Michael Pompeo, Says Terrorism is a Global Issue.
"'It's not in the cards,' Priebus told McMaster. 'We're just going to do dinner here. It's what the president wants.'," Woodward quotes Priebus as saying. This made McMaster angry. He (McMaster) understood the strategic importance of India, a sworn enemy of Pakistan. Outreach and strong relations were essential. The later event for Modi was a "no-frills" cocktail reception. The working dinner was at the White House," Woodward, the famed investigative journalist, further states in the book.
The 448-page book, which has been described by the White House as a work of fiction, claims to give an insider's account on the White House working and decision-making process under Trump's presidency. The US President has dismissed the book as 'joke'. The book has a small segment on India and June 26, 2017 visit of PM Modi to the White House. 'US, India Continue Talks on to Acquire USD 5 Billion Missile Defence System Buy From Russia, No Decision on Sanctions Yet'.
The book claims the then national security advisor H R McMaster was batting for a strong relationship with India. Ahead of the June 26 visit of Modi, McMaster met with the then White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus to prepare for the US visit of the Indian prime minister.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2018 11:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).