Modi to Trump: Thanks, But No — Indian PM Declined White House Invite to Visit Temple

In a telling signal of India’s uncompromising diplomatic posture, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed on Thursday that he declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to stop over in Washington for a dinner during his recent trip to Canada for the G7 summit. 

Modi instead chose to proceed to Odisha to participate in a public programme and visit the sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Image Source: PM NaMo on X

“Just two days ago, I was in Canada for the G7 summit and the US President Trump called me. 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. I told the US President, thank you for the invitation. It is very important for me to go to the land of Mahaprabhu and hence I politely declined,” Modi said, addressing a gathering in Bhubaneswar.

The remarks, made during the first anniversary celebrations of the BJP government in Odisha, show India’s increasingly assertive foreign policy posture, particularly in the backdrop of recent tensions between New Delhi and Washington following Trump’s repeated attempts to inject himself into India-Pakistan affairs post-Operation Sindoor.

In his address, PM Modi described the completion of one year of BJP rule in Odisha not merely as a political milestone but as “an anniversary of good governance dedicated to public service and public trust.” He congratulated Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and his team for their work.

Highlighting the Odisha government’s recent decision to open all four gates of the revered Sri Jagannath Temple and grant access to its Ratna Bhandar treasury, Modi said, “This is not about political victory or defeat. This is about honouring the faith of crores of devotees.” He credited divine blessings for resolving the longstanding temple issues.

Modi’s decision to decline Trump’s invite adds another layer to the evolving India-US dynamic, where India’s national priorities—and its civilizational ethos—are being placed firmly above diplomatic flattery or external pressures.