Prime Minister Narendra Modi will break the long-frozen ice with the United States by meeting President Barack Obama at the White House on 29-30 September, where the two leaders are slated to discuss pressing issues of terrorism and economic growth.
The meeting, the first between the two charismatic leaders and also the most followed on social media, will include issues to "expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership," as per the White House statement.
It is reportedly unusual for a foreign leader not on an official state visit to meet the President in the White House, that two for two straight days.
"The fact that there will be interactions over two days is a signal of the importance we place on the US-India relationship," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden.
Rising threats of terrorism across the world will be an important point on the agenda.
"They will also focus on regional issues, including current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, where India and the United States can work together with partners towards a positive outcome," the statement said. "They will discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world."
Both nations are facing increasing threat from trans-national terror outfits, and while Obama has harnessed forces and allies to weed out the Islamic State that beheaded two US journalists, Modi stares at fresh problems arising from al-Qaeda's new Indian wing.
This will be Modi's first visit since the embarrassing episode of 2005, when he was denied a visa to the US, based on his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
While Modi was also scheduled to address the joint session of the US Congress, it was called off as the Congress will be on a break at the time of his visit.
However, there are several other highlights of Modi's US visit, the most important being the United Nations General Assembly meet and his address at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York where he will interact with thousands of NRIs.
