India's Modi accepts invite to meet U.S. leader

Jul 11, 2014, 11:08 AM EDT

BJP leader Narendra Modi, (C), performs the Hindu Ganga Puja prayer ritual at the Dashaswamadeh Ghat on the Holy River Ganges the day after his landslide election victory on May 17, 2024 in Varanasi, India.

Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Washington is seeking to court the new Indian premier and revive stalled relations with the regional heavyweight. In 2005, Modi was denied a visa for travel to the United States following his alleged role in ethnic riots as chief state minister of Gujarat province.

Background:

Modi accepts invitation to meet Obama [Reuters]

Indian P.M. to meet Obama in September [ABC News]

NEW Get free daily news briefings »