India invites Donald Trump to be the chief guest

New Delhi, July 14: India has invited US President Donald Trump to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year, informed government sources on Friday.

Reportedly it is said that the US lateral is hitherto responding to the invitation but basic gesture has been positive.

During their talks in Washington in June 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited President Trump for a bilateral visit to India.

A concerted statement issued after the talks had said, "President Trump gratefully accepted Prime Minister Modi's invitation to visit India."

However, sources said a fresh invite to the US President has been sent recently to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in 2019. If Trump accepts the invitation, it is expected to give an extensive lift to ties between the two imperative partners in key areas of defense, security and trade.

The invitation to the American President to attend the Republic Day event comes when the ties between the two countries are marking some bruise.

Currently, India has been pressing the Trump administration for a disclaimer from US approval on New Delhi's military attainment from Russia.

Preceding this year, the US had announced sanctions against Russia under the stringent law for its so-called meddling in the American presidential election in 2016.

There has been arising interests in India over the US sanctions against Russian defense majors including Rosoboron export as billions of dollars of military purchases may be wracked up because of the penal measure.

However, India is also likely to seek a waiver from US sanctions on the import of oil from Iran.

The Trump administration has been pushing for profound critical assistance with India, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region where China was expanding its domination.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. In 2015, the then US President Barack Obama was the chief guest and it was his second visit to India as American President.

This year, leaders from 10 ASEAN countries had attended the Republic Day celebrations.

In 2016, French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest of the parade while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations in 2014.

The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac.