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.
PM Modi in US Live Updates: Keep watching this corner for full coverage on PM Modi’s Washington DC visit:
PM Modi held productive discussions with CEO of General Electric, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. They discussed GE’s greater technology collaboration to promote manufacturing in India.
PM @narendramodi held productive discussions with CEO of @generalelectric, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. They discussed GE’s greater technology collaboration to promote manufacturing in India. pic.twitter.com/v116lzVuaR
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 22, 2023
The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter. The State Department could announce as soon as Thursday that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas in the U.S., without having to travel abroad, one of the sources said, part of a pilot program that could be expanded in coming years. Indian citizens are by far the most active users of the U.S. H-1B program and made up 73% of the nearly 442,000 H-1B workers in fiscal year 2022. (Reuters)
PM Narendra Modi held a meeting with President and CEO of Micron Tech Sanjay Mehrotra in Washington DC. They discussed the opportunities pertaining to manufacturing of semiconductors in India.
PM @narendramodi held a meeting with President and CEO of @MicronTech Sanjay Mehrotra in Washington DC. They discussed the opportunities pertaining to manufacturing of semiconductors in India. pic.twitter.com/LwKp2FPhj0
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 22, 2023
I thank @POTUS @JoeBiden and @FLOTUS @DrBiden for hosting me at the White House today. We had a great conversation on several subjects: PM Modi tweeted.
I thank @POTUS @JoeBiden and @FLOTUS @DrBiden for hosting me at the White House today. We had a great conversation on several subjects. pic.twitter.com/AUahgV6ebM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2023
Honoured that @FLOTUS @DrBiden joined us in a special event relating to skill development. Skilling is a top priority for India and we are dedicated to creating a proficient workforce that can boost enterprise and value creation: PM Modi
Honoured that @FLOTUS @DrBiden joined us in a special event relating to skill development. Skilling is a top priority for India and we are dedicated to creating a proficient workforce that can boost enterprise and value creation. pic.twitter.com/eXibkMme9c
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023
Prime Minister highlighted the numerous steps taken by India to promote education, skilling and innovation. He appreciated ongoing bilateral academic exchanges, and collaborations between Indian and US academic and research ecosystems. Prime Minister presented 5-point proposals for energising India-USA collaboration in education and research sector, as follows:
Apart from guest of honour PM Modi, the White House dinner also saw US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval.
Considering the vegetarian palette of PM Modi, the Bidens have included special dishes for their guest. These include marinated millet, grilled corn kernel salad, compressed watermelon, tangy avocado sauce, stuffed mushrooms, saffron-infused risotto, lemon-dill yogurt sauce, crisped millet cakes, summer squashes, rose cardamom infused strawberry shortcakes among other things
The White House says that President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Prime Minister Modi also enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India.
From special 7.5 carat lab-grown diamond for the First Lady to 'desi ghee' from Punjab, to 'lavan' or salt from Gujarat, PM Modi's special gifts for Bidens has that unmissable rustic stamp of the Indian culture. After meeting Bidens at the White House, PM Modi took to Twitter to talk about the Oval Office meeting. He thanked President Biden and the First Lady for hosting him and said that they had 'great conversation' on many topics.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday received Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House and they gathered for an intimate dinner. Before entering the building, they posed for photos and were seen chatting. “When friends meet! PM @narendramodi arrives at the @WhiteHouse for a private engagement with @POTUS @JoeBiden, @FLOTUS @DrBiden and family. An occasion for two leaders who share close bonds of friendship to cherish special moments together,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. According to the White House, this evening, the president, the first lady and the prime minister Modi also enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Deputy Chief of Protocol Aseem Vohra were seen entering the White House.
As the official gift, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will present PM Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century. President Biden will also gift PM Modi a vintage American camera, accompanied by an archival facsimile print of… pic.twitter.com/OeYWYpXUQp
President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to deepen defense and technology cooperation between their countries during Modi's official visit to the White House, despite lingering concerns about human rights in India. Two days of carefully orchestrated official events had a rocky start on Wednesday afternoon, however, when Modi was so late to a planned tour of the National Science Foundation that the president's wife Jill Biden, a teacher, started without him. Modi arrived about 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the tour and apologized to her. Later on Wednesday, Modi is scheduled to have a private dinner with the Bidens at the White House. Modi will attend a state dinner on Thursday night. (Reuters)
Modi at the Skilling for Future event in DC said, “We can think of starting an India-US teachers' exchange programme. To increase the engagement of scientists & entrepreneurs across the world with Indian institutions, we started GIAN – Global Initiative of Academic Networks – in 2015. I am delighted to tell you that under this, 750 faculty members from the US have come to India.”
You work to ensure that all Indians, especially girls have the opportunity to pursue education and gain the skills they need for a modern workforce. It is exciting to be able to show you some of the innovative programs our schools and businesses are creating for the students… pic.twitter.com/KXZQpQ8deJ
Modi at the event further added, “I think together, both countries should also organise hackathons on different issues. This may offer solutions to several of the current problems as well as new ideas for the future.
“To maintain a growth momentum, India and the US need a pipeline of talent. On one hand, the US has top-class educational institutions & advanced technologies. On the other hand, India has the world's biggest youth factory. That is why, I belive that the India-US partnership will prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth: PM Modi at National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia in the US,” Modi said at National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia in the US.
We have established around 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools wherein children are being provided with all kinds of facilities for various types of innovations. To encourage young entrepreneurs, we have started 'Start Up India' mission. Our goal is to make this decade a tech… pic.twitter.com/VjYRvihO3D
“I am very happy that I got to meet these young and creative people right after visiting Washinton DC. With NSF, India is working on a lot of projects. I want to thank First Lady Jill Biden to plan and organise this event. Your life and your achievements are an inspiration for future generations. Education, skill and innovation are important for a bright future. In India, we have brought the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling. Under Skill India, we have skilled over 15 billion people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia in the US.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and First Lady of the US, Jill Biden visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. The First Lady and the PM are meeting students from the US and India who are learning skills to succeed in industries vital to the economies of the two countries. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and First Lady of the US, Jill Biden visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia.
(Pic source - Reuters) pic.twitter.com/cF4hIkBVRH
Modi arrived at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC where he was given a guard of honour amid incessant rains. The Prime Minister, who was wearing a raincoat, stood for the national anthem of the two countries. From the airport, Modi travelled to the hotel where Indian diaspora members were waiting for him. Indian diaspora members braved rain to welcome Modi at Freedom Plaza in Washington. Some of the community members staged cultural programmes including 'Garba' and other folk dances outside the hotel in Washington DC where Modi will stay. (PTI)
#watch | I am very glad to see his (PM Modi) presence in Washington, DC. He gave me a high five and signed my shirt. It is a memorable moment, I will never forget this," says a young member of the Indian diaspora as he welcomes PM Modi at a hotel in Washington, DC pic.twitter.com/oaNZhVaMPl
Modi was seen signing autographs, greeting people with waves and smiles. People had gathered in large numbers to greet the PM.
#watch | | Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the members of the Indian diaspora outside the hotel he is staying in, in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/6eG9ND6pbp
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at his hotel in Washington DC. Hundreds of people have gathered outside the hotel to greet the Prime Minister of India. Chants of 'Vande Matram' have filled the air.
"He is a product of Indian culture": Richard Gere heaps praise on PM Modi
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/6dVuihiTSx#pmmodi #pmmodiusvisit #pmmodiinus #india #us pic.twitter.com/zugnlBJuSw
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to the fallen UN peacekeepers at the Wall of Peace at the UN headquarters here and asserted that their selfless service will never be forgotten. Modi was in New York to lead a yoga session celebrating the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN headquarters. The prime minister is on an official state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Modi took to Twitter and said, “Humbled to pay my tributes at the Wall of Peace at the @UN HQ today. We honor and remember the brave peacekeepers who gave their lives for a more peaceful world. Their selfless service will never be forgotten.” (PTI)
#watch | Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/qTZlZa3E0k
National Anthem of both the US and India was played in Washington DC as PM Modi arrived at the airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Washington DC on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the US during which he will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress.