US President Donald Trump rejects invitation to visit India on Republic Day

Last updated Oct 31, 2018

NEW DELHI: NPNEWS24 ONLINE- US President Donald Trump has rejected to come to India as Chief Guest as per the invitation of Modi Government on the occasion of Republic Day. In this regard, US officials have recently handed over a letter to India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Trump has expressed regret in this letter. It seemed that, some political programs in America are the reasons behind this rejection, which can be scheduled around 26 January.

Trump’s reaction to this issue is in contrast to the former President Barack Obama, who came to India despite all the domestic responsibilities on Republic Day in 2015. Trump has rejected this invitation at a time when relations between India and the United States are in stress. The main reason for this tension is India’s defence agreement with Russia and import of oil from Iran.

Even after the threat of imposing of the US’ CAATSA (Countering America’s Adventures Through the Sections Act), India recently finalized the deal of ‘S-400 Air Defence Missile System’ with Russia. After this, Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev appreciated India for working as an ‘independent’ country. Not only this, India has rejected any possibility of importing or cutting heavy oil imports from Iran.

Earlier, US Defence Minister Mike Pompeo had said that America expects India to completely stop importing oil from Iran by November 4 to avoid sanctions. On this issue India said that it will work on the basis of its energy needs. As well as, Indian public sector companies have also ordered oil from Iran for the month of November.

With this letter from the US President, it has been confirmed whether Trump will come to India or not. According to the information, India had invited him to come in February but the United States did not accept it. The NDA government is in its last year and elections might be held till May. So, there is possibility that Trump has rejected India’s invitation keeping in view the elections.