Modi-Obama Have a Hotline Now, But They are Yet to Call Each Other

The decision regarding Obama-Modi hotline was made during Obamas’s visit to New Delhi to attend Republic Day.

US President Barack Obama laughs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace in New Delhi, January, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

The hotlines or secure lines of communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama and their national security advisors have recently become operational, though it has not been put to use during its short lifespan so far.

The decision regarding Obama-Modi hotline was made during Obamas’s historic visit to New Delhi to attend Republic Day on January 26, as its chief guest.

This is a secure line between two very very close partners so that they can exchange views at the heads of state level, exchange views and co-ordinate approaches to solving real problems.
– Peter R Lavoy, Special Assistant to US President

With this India becomes only the fourth country- after Russia, Great Britain and China - with which the US has a hotline.

For India this is the first hotline at the level of head of state.

(With inputs from PTI)