Prime Minister Narendra Modi US Visit, Day 2 Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first State visit to the United States, addressed the US Congress at the Capitol Hill after a joint press briefing along with US President Joe Biden at the White House on June 22. Modi’s address to the US Congress grabbed headlines all over the globe as he got multiple standing ovations during his speech. The Prime Minister spoke on the need to end war, India’s economy and diversity, sustainable agriculture, women empowerment, terrorism and much more! Even the Capitol Hill was echoing with Modi chants.
In his joint press briefing with POTUS Joe Biden on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there was no discrimination in his government’s policies on religious grounds and that it enforced the law equally, without bias. He said that democracy is India’s spirit and it runs in the country’s veins as he dismissed allegations of discrimination against religious minorities in India. The briefing was followed by the bilateral meeting that was held between Modi and Biden.
After the historic Capitol Hill address, a grand state dinner was organised by the Biden administration in honour of PM Modi. Several eminent personalities from the US and India attended the State dinner. From Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to Google boss Sundar Pichai to Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani to Anand Mahindra, the state dinner saw several dignitaries.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi received a grand ceremonial welcome at the White House where thousands were seen chanting his name in unison.
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Reporters have already started to assemble for Biden and Modi's joint press conference at the White House. The bilateral talks between the two global leaders is underway, post which they will be releasing a joint press statement as well.
U.S. President Joe Biden said he will discuss the issue of human rights with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, after activists and his Democratic Party's progressive lawmakers urged him to raise the issue publicly. “I look forward to discussing how we could strengthen our partnership and build a future together, worthy of both our peoples, one grounded on democracy, human rights, freedom and rule of law,” Biden said at the White House, seated next to Modi. The Indian leader, who spoke mostly in Hindi and appeared with a translator, nodded after Biden's words. Calls have escalated in recent days for Biden to publicly call out what activists say is India's deteriorating human rights record. Biden's remarks did not directly criticize India or Modi. India's importance for the U.S. to counter China makes it hard for Washington to criticize the human rights situation in the world's largest democracy, analysts say. (Reuters)
#watch | Glimpses from the ceremonial welcome accorded to PM Modi at the White House earlier today, on his maiden official State visit to the United States pic.twitter.com/vySawaIAba
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently holding bilateral talks with POTUS Joe Biden. After their meeting is over, a joint statement will be released to the press. The global leaders will then take a joint press conference. This is the first time that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be taking questions from the journalists at a press conference.
#watch | A banner welcoming PM Modi on his maiden State visit to the US was displayed at Times Square in New York yesterday pic.twitter.com/33YH1T9VPI
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spoke to ANI on PM Narendra Modi's official state visit to the US. He said, “In the last 9 years, PM Narendra Modi's efforts towards the independent foreign policy with importance to national interest have made the world see India as a trusted partner”
Biden explained in detail the bilateral relationship and why it is important for not only India, the US and the rest of the world as well.
Speaking at the White House. https://t.co/qrAuu1wlnj
#watch | At the bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden says, "...Thank you Prime Minister for your decision to host the G20 this year...I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership..." pic.twitter.com/b3qmkOtTgo
Prominent a cappella group Penn Masala, comprising students of the University of Pennsylvania, on Thursday performed a rendition of popular Bollywood tracks “Chaiyya Chaiyya” and “Jashn e Bahaaraa” at the White House ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival. The group of South Asian students performed for the large crowd, ranging between 2000 and 3000 people, that gathered at the South Lawns to witness the ceremonial welcome being given to Modi at the White House. Penn Masala first performed “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 1998 movie “Dil Se..”, followed by “Jashn e Bahaaraa” from “Jodha Akbar”, the 2008 historical drama featuring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. They also performed a version of British rock band Coldplay's hit track “Viva La Vida” from their 2008 album of the same name. (PTI)
“I wish the Indian tricolour and America's star and stripes keep touching the new heights. President Biden, I thank you once again for the invite and the reception. Jai Hind. God bless America,” says PM Modi.
#watch | People of the Indian community are enhancing India's glory in the US through their hard work and dedication. You are the real strength of our relationship. I thank President Biden and Dr Jill Biden for giving this honour to them: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/WAbx3mf3vJ
US President Biden and I will hold bilateral talks in a short while now and discuss regional and global issues. I am sure that our talks will be positive: PM Modi at the White House
“In the post-Covid era, the world order is taking a new shape. In this time period, the friendship between India and US will be instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world. India & US are committed to working together for the global good and peace, stability and prosperity,” PM Modi said in his welcome speech at White House.
People of the Indian community are enhancing India's glory in the US through their hard work and dedication. You are the real strength of our relationship. I thank President Biden and Dr Jill Biden for giving this honour to them: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/UPdKtvGJmQ
I have visited the White House many times after becoming the PM. This is the first time the gates of the White House have been opened for the Indian-American community in such large numbers: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/gB0BxOocZf
“The relationship between the US and India is one of most defining relationships in the 21st century,” Biden said as he welcomed Modi. He further said, “Together India and US are working closely in expanding healthcare, climate change and issues arising out of Russia's aggression on Ukraine.” “With your cooperation, we have strengthened the QUAD for a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Decades from now, people will look back and say that the Quad bent the arc of history for global good,” Biden added.
Prime Minister Modi, welcome back to the White House, says President Biden.
(AP Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand ceremonial welcome at the White House. The PM is now set to hold bilateral talks with POTUS Joe Biden and also address a joint session of the US Congress later. He will also attend the State Dinner along with other dignitaries.
Kamala Harris and other US officials have arrived at the White House to welcome PM Modi. The Prime Minister could be gracing the South Lwans of White House anytime now.
A huge crowd of Indian diaspora gathered outside the South Lawns of the White House on Thursday, awaiting the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Modi Modi' chants echoed in the air as people gathered in huge numbers. Some of the signs held by people in the crowd read “America loves Modi.” People could be seen chanting slogans and waving the national flags of both India and the US. PM Modi is on his first state visit to the US. an official state visit is the highest-ranked diplomatic invitation extended to a visiting leader. (ANI)
Looking forward to today’s talks with @POTUS @JoeBiden. I am confident our discussions will further strengthen India-USA relations. https://t.co/rdwxCyrRyu
Violinist Vibha Janakiraman performs before a State Arrival Ceremony for India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the South Lawn of the White House on June 22 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
#watch | PM Modi will be accorded Guard of Honour on his arrival at the White House pic.twitter.com/0aOampHmSr
A violin recital was played by an Indian-origin student on the balcony of the White House as large crowd of Indian-Americans gathered on the South Lawns of the White House to welcome PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a five-point proposal for increasing India-US collaboration in the field of research and education, Prime Minister's Office said in an official press release. The PM's five-point proposal includes adopting an integrated approach bringing together government, industry and academia, encouraging the exchange of teachers and students, organising hackathons on various subjects between the two countries, mutual recognition of vocational skills qualifications, and encouraging visits of people associated with education and research. (ANI)
#watch | Members of the Indian diaspora await PM Modi's arrival at the White House
"What an incredible moment! We are proud of our Prime Minister. Never before so many people were allowed to come to the South Lawns of the White House,"says Poornima Voria, CEO of National… pic.twitter.com/4a2ottwTzc
Paper machie artisans in Kashmir are elated that one of their products — the exquisite box holding the diamond gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to US First Lady Jill Biden — has graced the White House. Modi gifted an eco-friendly lab-grown 7.5 carat diamond, placed in Kashmir's exquisite papier machie box, to Jill Biden. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted the prime minister for an intimate dinner at the White House on Wednesday, during which they discussed a range of issues, exchanged gifts and enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India. (PTI)
Meanwhile, In a landmark announcement, GE Aerospace on Thursday said it has inked a pact with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce fighter jet engines for Indian Air Force's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk-II — Tejas. The announcement came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden. “The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 engines in India, and GE Aerospace continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorisation for this,” the US firm said in a statement here. It described the Memorandum of Understanding with HAL as a “key element” in strengthening defence cooperation between India and the US. (PTI)