Washington, March 15 -- US President Donald Trump has pledged to transform Washington, DC, into a "crime-free capital," emphasising the need for a cleaner, safer, and more visually appealing city for visiting world leaders.

Speaking at an event, Trump stressed his commitment to restoring the capital's image, asserting that heads of state - including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi--should not have to witness urban decay when they visit.

"We want to have a capital that can be the talk of the world--when Prime Minister Modi of India, when the President of France, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, all of these people came to see me in the last week and a half--and when they come in, I don't want them to see tents, I don't want ...