India, June 20 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit Washington after his official visit to Canada because he had to come to Odisha, the sacred land of Lord Jagannath.

"During my visit, US President Donald Trump called me and said 'since you're already in Canada, why not come to Washington too? Let's have a meal and talk.' He extended a warm invitation. I respectfully told the President of the United States, 'Thank you for your kind invitation, but it is essential for me to go to the sacred land of Mahaprabhu.' And so, I humbly declined his offer, because your love and the devotion to Mahaprabhu drew me irresistibly to this holy land," PM Modi said at an event in ...