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.

The world’s richest man is reported to be part of a select group of CEOs who will meet PM Modi on February 13.

The two leaders, in their first phone call, also discussed their upcoming visits. US President Donald Trump is expected to visit India for the Quad Leaders' Smmit later this year. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi may visit US in the coming months.

Dreams Shattered' as Trump Deports Indians Ahead of Modi Trip By Aftab Ahmed SALEMPURA, India (Reuters) - It took Daler Singh six months and $45,000 to reach the United States last month without paperwork.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Washington next week. This is going to be the first visit after Donald Trump became President of the United States for the second term.

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

Opposition lawmakers in India's parliament are protesting the US deportations of Indian immigrants. A US military plane carrying 104 Indian migrants-- deported as part of US President Donald Trump's immigration agenda-- landed in northern India's Punjab State on Wednesday.

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.