Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday concluded his state visit to the United States with an address to the Indian diaspora at Washington DC.
Speaking to a large gathering of the Indian-American community, Modi said that a new journey of India-US relationship has begun and the true potential of the relationship is yet to be realised.
Engagement with the diaspora has been key to Modi's visit over the years. Some of the most memorable moments in the United States have come from his addresses to the diaspora, whether it was the event with the 20,000-strong gathering at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2014 or the joint-rally with the then-President Donald Trump at Texas in 2019 at a 50,000-strong gathering, one of the largest ever reception for a foreign leader in the United States.
Following the diaspora event, Modi departed for a two-day visit to Egypt. The three-day state visit to the United States was Modi's first and comprised events and engagements that put the whole spectrum of India's rising stature and the dynamics of wide-ranging India-US relationship at display. Reserved for the closest allies and partners, a state visit is a coveted honour.
India-US relationship all about making world better: Modi
Modi said the India-US ties are all about making the world better again in the 21st century.
The two countries have seen convergence on global issues and their growing ties will be a boost for "make in India and make for world" efforts, said Modi, referring to agreements on technology transfer, boosting manufacturing and strengthening industrial supply chain.
Both countries are taking strong steps for a better future, said Modi at the community address.
Modi announced that people of Indian origin will not have to leave the US for getting H-1B visa renewal, drawing massive praise from people present in the hall and outside listening to him.
New India knows its direction and has no confusion about its decisions and resolve, he said and added that its potential is turning into performance.
India is the mother of democracy and the US is the champion of modern democracy, and the world is watching the strengthening of ties of two great democracies, the prime minister said.
Modi departs for state visit to Egypt
After three days of political and business engagements in the United States that put the focus on technological cooperation and people-to-people ties of the two countries, PM Modi on Saturday left the United States for Egypt after concluding his state visit to the United States.
During the visit, Modi engaged with thought leaders and business leaders, held talks with President Biden, attended the state dinner hosted in his honour by Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, attended a luncheon hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and addressed a diaspora event. Modi also addressed a joint-session of US Congress.
Modi has departed for Egypt which would be his first visit to the country. It comes at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. It is also the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1997.
(With PTI inputs)
