White House confirms India's invitation to Trump for visit, says no final decision

WASHINGTON -- The White House said on Wednesday that India has invited US President Donald Trump for a visit to the Asian nation, but a final decision has not been made yet.

In a press briefing, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said that "the invitation has been extended, but I don't believe a final decision has been made."

She added that US secretaries of defense and state, namely, James Mattis and Mike Pompeo, will begin the potential discussion for a presidential visit later in the year in their travel to India in September.

She noted that Washington-New Delhi relations have been a "deep and abiding strategic" one.

Indian media reported earlier in July that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited Trump to be the chief guest for next year's Republic Day parade in January.

Mattis and Pompeo will meet with their Indian counterparts on September 6 in New Delhi for the inaugural US-India "2+2" Dialogue, which has been postponed several times.

Differences remained between the two nations over trade tariffs, US threatening to punish India's oil purchase from Iran, and India's proposed buying of S-400 missile defense system from Russia, leaving many to wonder if India even ranks in Trump's priority list.

India has reportedly decided to counter Trump's tariffs challenge by imposing additional customs duties up to 50 percent on as many as 29 goods imported from the United States. The new customs duties will come into effect from August 4, if the current standoff prevail.