India, June 20 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday revealed that he had turned down an invitation from US President Donald Trump for a dinner meeting in Washington, choosing instead to travel to Odisha.

Speaking at a public event in Bhubaneswar, PM Narendra Modi said, "Just two days ago, I was in Canada for the G7 Summit. While I was there, US President Trump called me and said 'since you are in Canada, come via Washington. Let's have dinner and talk.' He extended the invitation with great insistence."

Modi said he respectfully declined the offer. "I told the US President, thank you for the invitation. But it is very important for me to go to the land of Mahaprabhu (Odisha)," Modi said, referring to the revered Jagannath Temple in...