(Image source from: What will be the most unusual things about Pm Modi's US visit?})
Someone has rightly said, "Nothing lasts forever" - not even bans. Come September 28, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was barred from visiting the United States until the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections that he won with sweeping mandate, will finally fly to America.
PM Modi will be visiting the US for two days at the end of this month. He will also meet President Barack Obama and tour the White House during his two days stay in the States.
The meetings, on September 29 and 30, will take place on Mr Modi's first visit to Washington since he led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a crushing victory in May's elections.
It is rare for a foreign leader, especially those not making a state visit, to visit the White House on two separate days.
"The fact that there will be interactions over two days is a signal of the importance we place on the US-India relationship," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden. (Obama Looking Forward to Welcoming PM Modi: Official)
Mr Modi was banned from entering the United States by the administration of President George W. Bush in 2005 after being accused of not intervening to stop communal riots which took place in Gujarat in 2002 after he had taken over as Chief Minister.
During his brief visit, "the two leaders will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership," said a White House statement.
"They will discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world."
Washington wasted no time in courting Mr Modi, who was apparently less keen to involve the United States than his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh.
In fact, the US Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel toured India to meet the new prime minister soon after his appointment.
Though Washington sees rising India as a democratic counterweight to the region's other emerging power, China, things have not gone completely smoothly.
During his visit, Mr Kerry had admonished Mr Modi over India's refusal to uphold an important WTO trade deal on streamlining customs procedures and boosting global commerce. India argued that the pact's market opening requirements could prejudice its efforts to lift up its poorest citizens.
The United States has tried to iron out the differences with India, after a series of spats, including the infamous Devyani Khobragade's case.
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
