New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday spoke about the “multifaceted” India-US relationship and asserted that the two countries “stand stronger in meeting shared global challenges”.
The PM’s statement came ahead of his three-day tour to the US, from 21 to 23 June. “This visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership,” he added.
This is PM Modi’s first state visit to the US — an official formal tour by the leader of one country to another — although he has previously visited the country. He will also be on a two-day state visit to Egypt, on 24-25 June. The Egypt trip will be PM Modi’s first to the country.
“India-US ties are multifaceted, with deepening engagements across sectors. USA is India’s largest trade partner in goods and services. We collaborate closely in science & technology, education, health, defence and security fields,” the PM said.
“Our two countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” he added.
Modi will lead the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on 21 June. And on 22 June, the PM is slated to travel to Washington DC where he will receive a ceremonial welcome, followed by a meeting with President Joe Biden.
“I am travelling to the United States of America on a State Visit at the invitation of President Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden. This special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between our democracies,” the PM said.
President Biden and First Lady Jill will host a state dinner in honour of PM Modi the same day.
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‘Stronger together’
In his statement, the PM also explained how his discussions with President Biden and the senior leadership of the US would help “consolidate” India’s bilateral ties with America, as well as in multilateral forums such as the G20, Quad and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.
India, US and 12 other nations had in May reached an agreement on supply chain cooperation, as reported by ThePrint earlier.
The PM will also address a joint sitting of the US Congress, at the invitation of Congressional leaders, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and Senate majority leader Charles Schumer on 22 June.
Prime Minister Modi will be one of the few world leaders in history to address a joint sitting of the US Congress more than once. His last address was on 8 June, 2016.
Other global leaders who have addressed a joint sitting of the US Congress more than once include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (1996, 2011, 2015), former prime minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill (1941, 1943, 1952), former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela (1990, 1994), former prime minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin (1976, 1994) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (both in 2022).
Five other Indian prime ministers have addressed the US Congress — Rajiv Gandhi (1985), P.V. Narasimha Rao (1994), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2000) and Manmohan Singh (2005).
Prime Minister Modi will also interact with leading CEO’s, professionals and other stakeholders as well as the Indian diaspora.
“I am confident that my visit to the US will reinforce our ties based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom. Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges,” the PM added.
On 23 June, PM Modi will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
First state visit to Egypt
PM Modi’s visit to Egypt is at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. President Sisi was the chief guest at India’s 2023 Republic Day celebrations.
“We had the pleasure of receiving President Sisi as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day celebrations this year. These two visits in the span of a few months is a reflection of our rapidly evolving partnership with Egypt, which was elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ during President Sisi’s visit,” the PM said.
Modi will likely also interact with officials from the Egyptian government, some prominent individuals as well as the Indian diaspora in Egypt.
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