President Obama will travel to India in January to celebrate India’s Republic Day, the White House announced Friday, the latest step in the administration’s campaign to bolster American investment in the South Asian nation.
“This visit will mark the first time a U.S. president will have the honor of attending Republic Day, which commemorates the adoption of India’s constitution,” the White House said. “The president will meet [Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi] and Indian officials to strengthen and expand the U.S.-India strategic partnership.”
Obama’s trip to India comes after he hosted India’s newly-elected prime minister at the White House in September.
That trip was far more complicated, as Modi was once denied a visa to visit the United States in the wake of deadly riots in the state where he was the top official. More recently, Modi was the subject of a lawsuit filed in New York City by survivors of that violent episode.
Modi, as a head of state, was granted immunity for his trip to Washington.
Obama has pledged to do more to strengthen U.S.-Indian economic ties, but administration officials have criticized the Indian government for lagging behind on economic reforms.
The president last visited India in 2010.
