Hotline between Prime Minister office and White House to continue post January 20

The hotline established in 2015 between PM Modi Barack Obama will continue to exist after the outgoing US President hands over the baton to his successor Donald Trump on January 20

It is the only first-hand hotline that was established during the eight years of Obama Administration, reflecting on deepening of India-US ties.

These kinds of preparations are intended to persist beyond just one presidential term. The decision to begin the hotline was finalised during Obama’s historic visit to India in 2015 to attend the annual Republic Day parade on January 26 as its chief guest.

India is only the fourth country after Russia, China and Britainwith which the US has a hotline.

This is the first hotline of India at the level of the head of state.