Former US NSA calls PM Modi a 'global leader'

Seventy-five Democratic senators and members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday urged United States President Joe Biden to raise human rights issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington.

In a letter to Biden, the legislators said they were concerned about the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organisations and journalists and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access in India.

“We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party – that is the decision of the people of India – but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy,” the leaders said.

PM lauded Falu Music for her song ‘Abundance in Millets’ that raises awareness regarding healthy and environment friendly millets. PM appreciated her for bringing the people of India and USA together through her music.
 

PM Modi held discussions with various think tank experts, covering a range of developmental and geopolitical issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a unique yoga session on Wednesday in a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters here that will see participation from top UN officials, envoys from across and the world and prominent individuals.

Crores of people across the world doing Yoga with theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (world is one family)': PM Modi

Yoga has become global movement through International Day of Yoga: PM Modi in video message

“Yoga has become a global spirit,” says PM Modi in his message on International Yoga Day.

The Ukraine issue will come up in the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, a White House official said.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby, however, said to what "degree specifically they will talk about a peace summit or a peace proposal, I cannot say right now".

"I was delighted to spend time in the company of a head of state who is as scientifically thoughtful as is Prime Minister Modi. I was delighted to hear about future programs that he has in mind. I'm quite sure I'm not alone when I say the potential for what India can accomplish knows no limits. So I see a very bright future for India," says American astrophysicist Neil De Grasse Tyson.

In a conversation with Indian media, the US billionaire Elon Musk expressed his willingness to introduce Starlink to India, which he believes would provide remote villages of India the access to internet. He said, "I'm tentatively planning to visit India again next year. We're hopefully looking forward to bringing Starlink to India as well. The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for remote or rural villages in India."

Tesla boss Elon Musk met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York, where the two held talks about investment plans and economic outlook. After the meeting, Musk told the media that he had “excellent and a very good conversation” with the Indian leader.Musk also declared before the media that he was planning to visit India “next year” and that “he and Tesla are coming to India.” 

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Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk has reached Lotte New York Palace Hotel where he is scheduled to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Prime Minister Modi had a short interaction with his enthusiastic supporters who were donning 'Modi jackets' adorned with his pictures at the hotel. He graciously signed autographs for a few of them. Among the diaspora members present, some were dressed in vibrant attire and chanting slogans such as 'Modi-Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'.

On Tuesday, a senior US official expressed that the Pentagon sees significant potential for collaboration in the defence sector through its partnership with India. This statement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the United States to engage in discussions with President Joe Biden, with the aim of strengthening the military-to-military ties between the two countries.

During Prime Minister Modi's state visit, India and the US are expected to introduce a roadmap outlining plans for close cooperation between their defence industries. This roadmap will encompass areas such as co-production, co-development, and the maintenance of the supply chain, solidifying the strategic partnership between the two nations.

PM wrote: "Landed in New York City. Looking forward to the programmes here including interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day programme tomorrow, 21st June."

After landing at the JFK airport, PM Modi was greeted by officials. 

He also met Indian diaspora at airport. 

PM Modi said that his discussions with Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF. 

He added that the US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties.

"During my visit, I will address a Joint Session of the US Congress at the invitation of Congressional leadership," he added. 

He added that he is confident that the visit to the US will reinforce the ties based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom.

"Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges," PM Modi said. 

PM Modi arrived in New York on the first leg of his official state visit to the United States. During his visit to New York, the Indian PM will meet CEOs, Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academicians, and health sector experts today. 

On June 21, PM Modi will attend Yoga Day celebrations at the UN HQ.

Indian PM Narendra Modi lands in US. 

Before departing, PM Modi called the India-US ties multifaceted, with deepening engagements across sectors. The government website noted that, in his departure statement, PM Modi said that the USA is India's largest trade partner in goods and services. 

He said, "We collaborate closely in science & technology, education, health, defence and security fields. The initiative on Critical & Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration to defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, Artificial Intelligence and biotech sectors." He said that both countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. 

Ahead of his official state visit to Washington, PM Modi said in an interview the Wall Street Journal that "there is an unprecedented trust" between the leaders of the US and India. 

The Indian prime minister also hailed growing defense cooperation between the two countries as "an important pillar of our partnership," which he said extends to trade, technology and energy.