US President Donald Trump had set the optics for the visit by tweeting, “Look forward to welcoming India’s PM Modi to @WhiteHouse on Monday. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend!”
With Modi airborne, on his way from Lisbon to Washington DC, Indian diplomats waiting in the Nest lounge of the hotel, where Modi is staying, caught on to the “positive vibes” tweet, and within minutes, the Indian embassy tweeted, “And @POTUS has spoken! All set for a Historic Summit Engagement”.
After he landed, Modi responded, “Thank you @POTUS for the warm personal welcome. Greatly look forward to my meeting and discussions with you @realDonaldTrump.” He was welcomed and cheered by a group of Indians waiting outside the hotel, after being received by Indian ambassador Navtej Sarna and US acting envoy MaryKay Loss Carlson.
