New York: PM Narendra Modi, who arrived in New York on Friday on a five-day visit to the US, thanked the Indian American community for the warm welcome. Diaspora members chanted “Modi, Modi” and held placards to greet him and express their enthusiasm as soon as the PM arrived in New York.
Responding to the tumultuous welcome, Modi on microblogging website Twitter said: “A big thank you for the warm welcome in New York Deeply touched Looking forward to a great trip ahead.”
Modi was attired nattily in a dark maroon bandh-gala suit.
A large group of Indian Diaspora had gathered near the New York hotel where he is to stay, chanting his name lustily, as Modi waved to them smiling all the while. Modi’s electoral victory marked a turnaround and Washington is now rolling out the red carpet for him, with President Barack Obama inviting him for a bilateral meeting and a dinner.
About 18,500 people have been issued tickets to attend the event and several thousand more are expected to watch the reception on TV relays at Times Square and in over 40 other venues at universities and other places.
The day will start with a visit to the 9/11 site, also known as Ground Zero, where he will pay respects to the victims of one of the worst-ever terrorist attacks that claimed more than 3,000 lives. The visit will underscore the common threats that are faced by India and the US from terrorists.
Modi’s schedule includes meetings with Jewish and Sikh community leaders and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who now heads his own information service company and runs several charities, and former president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, considered a possible US presidential candidate.
In Washington, he will have a lunch with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry. Many business leaders have been invited to the event. Despite all the dinners, breakfasts and lunches set up for him, Modi will be observing his nine-day Navaratri fast.
Bureau Report
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