Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seemingly not afraid of Chinese 'bugging' and has decided to stay at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York during his US visit this month, even though American President Barack Obama has chosen not to.
Modi will visit the United States between 23 and 28 September, and he will reportedly break from tradition -- of Indian PMs checking in at the New York Palace Hotel during their visits -- to instead check in at the Waldorf hotel, The Times of India reported.
Chinese insurance firm, the Anbang Insurance Group, had bought the hotel last year, and the move has reportedly forced Obama to shun the hotel, which was his usual place of stay in New York, when he arrives for the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
Fears of Chinese bugging and spying have gripped the US since several White House mails were allegedly accessed by Chinese hackers, American media said.
However, Modi will stay at the iconic hotel, which is now owned by a businessman connected with former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, and also has several former military officers and ministers on its board.
Giving Modi company at the Waldorf will be Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping himself.
Modi will be in New York till 25 September, and will then visit Silicon Valley, where he will also join a town hall at the Facebook headquarters in California along with Mark Zuckerberg.
