India has invited US President Donald Trump to attend the Republic Day celebrations in January as chief guest as it looks to boost the steadily improving relations between the two countries that share concerns about a muscle-flexing China in Asia.

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White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed that the invitation has been extended but said a final decision is yet to be made. Sanders told a meeting of reporters on Wednesday that the dates for Trump’s visit will be discussed during the upcoming Two-Plus-Two dialogue in New Delhi in September.

The so-called Two-Plus-Two talks are a top-level strategic dialogue agreed by Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. The US postponed the talks twice but later said it was a priority. They will now be held in September.

If Trump accepts India’s invitation, he will be the second US president after Barack Obama to attend the Republic Day celebration.

Sanders said both defence secretary James Mattis and secretary of state Mike Pompeo will travel to India next month. They will begin the dialogue and the process and potential discussion for a presidential visit later in the year, she added.

“Certainly, the United States and India have a deep and abiding strategic partnership, and we’re going to continue to build on that partnership and advance cooperation. And I think you’ll see that at the meeting that will take place with Secretaries Pompeo and Mattis next month,” Sanders replied to another question by a reporter.

India’s ties with Washington have thrived in the past decade although they have also faced stress and strain over trade and other issues. Last month, New Delhi raised duties on US farm products in retaliation against Trump’s tariff hikes on steel and aluminium. India will now delay imposing more retaliatory tariffs ahead of the Two-Plus-Two talks.

A spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman will host Pompeo and Mattis in New Delhi on September 6 2018 for the first two-Plus-Two dialogue.

"The dialogue will cover a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest, with a view to strengthening strategic and security ties between the two countries," the MEA said.

First Published:Aug 2, 2018 4:40 PM IST