‘Thank You, But…’: PM Modi Says He Turned Down Trump’s US Dinner Invite for Odisha Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday revealed that he recently turned down a personal dinner invitation from US President Donald Trump in Washington, choosing instead to travel to Odisha to mark the first anniversary of the state’s BJP government.
Addressing a large public rally in Bhubaneswar, the Prime Minister shared an anecdote from his recent trip to Canada for the G7 Summit.
“Just two days ago, I was in Canada for the G7 summit and the US President Trump called me,” PM Modi told the crowd. “He said, since you have come to Canada, go via Washington, we will have dinner together and talk. He extended the invitation with great insistence.”
The Prime Minister said he politely declined the offer, prioritizing his domestic commitment. “I told the US President, ‘Thank you for the invitation. It is very important for me to go to the land of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath) and hence I politely declined his invitation’. Your love and devotion to Mahaprabhu brought me to this land,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister was in Odisha for his sixth visit since the BJP formed its maiden government in the state in June 2024. The event was held to celebrate the completion of one year of the new government.
During his visit, PM Modi launched a significant development push, inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 105 projects valued at over Rs 18,600 crore. These projects span crucial sectors including drinking water, irrigation, health infrastructure, and national highways. He also unveiled the “Odisha Vision Document,” a long-term roadmap for the state’s economic and social development.
The Prime Minister praised the new state government’s performance over the past year, stating that the anniversary marks the “establishment of good governance devoted to public service and public trust.”
