PM Modi to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on June 26

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington on June 26, the Indian foreign ministry said on Monday, the first meeting between the leaders.

Ties between the two big democracies grew rapidly under the Obama administration which saw India as a partner to balance China's growing weight in Asia.

But Trump has focused on building ties with China, seeing it as key to tackling regional problems such as North Korea's nuclear programme.

The Indian ministry said Modi's talks with Trump would lay the ground for a further expansion in ties, allaying some of the



anxiety that had crept in about a drift in relations.

"Their discussions will provide a new direction for deeper bilateral engagement on issues of mutual interest and consolidation of multi-dimensional strategic partnership between India and the US," the ministry said in a statement.

The United States has emerged as a top arms supplier to India and the two sides will be looking to move forward with deals such as unarmed drones that India wants for its navy, sources said.

One issue that the two leaders face is resolving conflict arising out of the push they are both making at home to boost industry and create jobs.