PM Modi Declines Trump's Washington Invite, Prioritizes 'Maha Prabhu's Dharti' in Odisha

 BHUBANESWAR, Odisha – June 20, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today revealed that he declined an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Washington, D.C., stating he chose instead to return to Odisha, the "sacred land of Lord Jagannath." Modi made the remarks during a public address in Bhubaneswar, where he participated in celebrations marking the first anniversary of the BJP government in the state and launched several development projects.

Speaking at a rally in Bhubaneswar, PM Modi recounted the invitation from President Trump: "Just two days ago, I was in Canada for the G7 Summit when U.S. President Trump had called me and invited me to Washington for a discussion and lunch."

He continued, "I thanked him for the invitation, saying I have to visit Odisha, the land of Lord Jagannath. I humbly rejected his invitation. Your love and devotion to Mahaprabhu brought me to this land."

The Prime Minister's statement emphasized the cultural and spiritual significance of Odisha, particularly given its strong association with Lord Jagannath, whose annual Rath Yatra festival is just around the corner. Modi's visit to Odisha today also included participating in the first anniversary function of the BJP's maiden government in the state, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. During the event, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹18,600 crore, covering sectors such as drinking water, irrigation, health infrastructure, rural roads, and railways. He also flagged off new train services to Boudh district, connecting it to the railway network for the first time.