Modi Skips Trump’s Invite, Chooses Odisha Over U.S., Says “Lord Jagannath Comes First”

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday revealed that he politely declined an invitation from former U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the United States after the G7 summit in Canada, opting instead to travel to Odisha, which he described as the “land of Lord Jagannath” and far more important at this moment.

Speaking at a major public event in Bhubaneswar to mark the first anniversary of the BJP government in Odisha, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹18,600 crore, covering vital sectors such as irrigation, drinking water, health, infrastructure, rural roads, highways, and railways.

“Two days ago, I was in Canada for the G7 Summit. During that time, Donald Trump called and invited me to stop in the U.S. on my way back. But I said, ‘Thank you for the invitation, Mr. President, but I must go to the land of the Lord. The love of the people and the call of Lord Jagannath is greater than any diplomatic stop,’” Modi said to loud applause.

Hailing the one-year completion of Odisha’s first-ever BJP-led state government, Modi called the day not just an anniversary of a new regime but the beginning of “good governance based on public trust.”

He also launched a strong attack on the Congress party, accusing it of decades of corruption, delay tactics, and neglect of tribal and backward communities. “What did the people see under the Congress? Latkana, bhatkana, ghanghor bhrashtachaar (stalling, misleading and massive corruption). But today, the BJP is delivering development with speed and honesty,” he said.

Modi highlighted Odisha’s progress in health care, pointing to the implementation of Ayushman Bharat along with the state-run Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, now ensuring free medical care for nearly 3 crore people in the state.

Addressing tribal welfare and Naxalism, the Prime Minister said the BJP government has ended years of political exploitation of tribals. “Earlier, tribals were only used as vote banks. They were kept away from development and pushed into violence. But now, Naxalism is being crushed, and that is a Modi guarantee,” he said.

Modi compared Odisha’s turnaround with states like Assam, where once rampant terrorism has now given way to peace and development. “A decade ago, Assam was in flames. Today, it stands strong and stable. The same story is being written in Odisha,” he said.