U.S. President Joe Biden plans to host India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state dinner this summer, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The White House aims for the state dinner to take place in June but the timing could slip, the people familiar said. A spokesman for the National Security Council declined to comment, according to the Bloomberg report.
The formal state visit underscores the deepening relationship between the US and India as the administration promotes policies and initiatives for a free and open Indo-Pacific to counter what it perceives as a growing threat from China.
Biden is also expected to see Modi in Australia in May when the countries convene for the Quad summit along with the leaders of Australia and Japan. Given that India is hosting a series of events this year related to G-20 leading to a summit in September, which among others would also be attended by Biden, it is reliably learnt that officials from the two sides are looking for appropriate dates in June and July.
At least a couple of days are required for the state visit, which among other things includes an address to the joint session of the US Congress and a state dinner at the White House. In addition to G-20, Modi has packed domestic and international commitments till the fall, before he hits the campaign trail for a series of crucial state assembly elections later this year.
Biden hosted French President Emanual Macron for his first state dinner last December and has scheduled one for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol scheduled on April 26.
(With inputs from PTI)
