The White House today said that President Barack Obama is looking forward to welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29-30 September, adding that the talks between the two leaders will "expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership."

"The two leaders will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership," White House Press Secretary said in a statement on Modi's first visit to Washington since becoming the prime minister.

"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," he said.

"They will also focus on regional issues, including current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, where India and the United States can work together with partners towards a positive outcome. The President looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to fulfil the promise of the US-India strategic partnership for the benefit of both our citizens and the world," added the White House statement.

It is to be noted that Modi was banished by the US for around a decade with the previous Bush administration revoking the visa of Modi in 2005 for his alleged role during the 2002 Gujarat riots when Modi was the chief minister of the state.

Obama was among the first leaders to greet Modi after the BJP registered a landslide victory in the May Lok Sabha polls.

Obama has already sent US secretary of state John Kerry and defence secretary Chuck Hagel to meet Modi and the two nations held their annual strategic dialogue in July in New Delhi.

Modi is scheduled to begin his historic US visit on 26 September. It is likely that he would meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.