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India's Prime Minister Modi will visit Russia, the Kremlin says

The Kremlin says that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Russia

MOSCOW — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Russia, the Kremlin announced Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs aide, Yuri Ushakov, said that Modi’s visit was being prepared but didn’t announce a date, saying that it will be done jointly later.

Russia has had strong ties with India since the Cold War, and New Delhi’s importance as a key trade partner for Moscow has grown since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. China and India have become key buyers of Russian oil following sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies that shut most Western markets for Russian exports.

Under Modi’s leadership, India has avoided condemning Russia’s action in Ukraine while emphasizing the need for a peaceful settlement.

Modi’s visit follows his reelection for a third straight term. He last visited Russia in 2019 for an economic forum in the far eastern port of Vladivostok. He last traveled to Moscow in 2015.

Kremlin says Modi visit could deepen Russian trade ties to India

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Many firsts in PM Modi's Russia, Austria trip next week

This will be pm modi's first visit to russia ever since moscow launched its military offensive in ukraine. furthermore, his visit to austria will be the first by an indian prime minister to the european country in the last 41 years..

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• PM Modi will visit Russia for first time after it invaded Ukraine
• He will participate in the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit
• In Austria, PM Modi will address business leaders of both nations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official visit to Russia and Austria between July 8 and 10, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

"Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Austria on 08-10 July 2024," an official release by the MEA read.

The Prime Minister will be in Moscow on July 8 and July 9, at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, to hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

"The leaders will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest," the ministry said.

Notably, this will be PM Modi's first trip to Russia ever since it launched its military offensive and invaded its neighbour Ukraine in February 2022. His last visit to Russia was in 2019 when he attended an economic conclave in the Far East city of Vladivostok.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that deepening trade and economic cooperation would be one of the key themes of the meeting between PM Modi and Vladimir Putin during the latter's visit.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss further development of the traditionally amicable relations between Russia and India, as well as pressing international and regional issues," the Kremlin said.

Putin had last met PM Modi in September 2022, at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan. In 2021, Putin also traveled to New Delhi and held talks with PM Modi.

After concluding his summit in Russia, PM Modi will travel to Austria during July 9 and July 10, making the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the European nation in 41 years, after Indira Gandhi in 1983.

Modi State Visit Modi Promotes India to Congress After Meeting With Biden

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized his country’s development and played up what he described as commonalities with the U.S. Earlier, he ducked a question about his government’s treatment of minorities.

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Modi Praises ‘Limitless’ Potential of U.S.-India Partnership

In a speech to congress, prime minister narendra modi of india promoted his nation’s development and said the relationship between his country and the united states was important for democracy’s future..

The U.S. is the oldest — and India, the largest — democracy. Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy. [cheers] Together, we shall give a better future to the world and a better world to the future. Everyone wants to understand India’s development, democracy and diversity. Everyone wants to know what India is doing right and how. We are not only growing bigger, but we are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows. I can go on and go on. But to summarize I would say: The scope of our cooperation is endless, the potential of our synergy is limitless and the chemistry of our relations is effortless.

Peter Baker

Biden welcomes India’s prime minister despite concerns over human rights.

President Biden emphasized common ground with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India on Thursday during a lavish state visit meant to bolster ties with the world’s most populous nation, while largely skirting points of friction over human rights and Russia’s war in Ukraine, at least in public.

After a pomp-filled, red-carpet arrival ceremony, Mr. Biden and Mr. Modi announced a range of initiatives to advance cooperation in technology, energy and military hardware but revealed no movement toward each other on the areas of disagreement that have strained the relationship in recent months, most especially Ukraine.

In a modest but notable breakthrough, however, Mr. Biden coaxed Mr. Modi into taking questions from reporters at a news conference, apparently the first time he has done so in his nearly decade-long tenure .

Here’s what else to know:

Challenged on his record on human rights and religious freedom, Mr. Modi insisted that democracy was “in India’s DNA” and denied that his government had engaged in discrimination based on race, faith or other such distinctions. Mr. Modi’s government has cracked down on dissent and hounded opponents in a way that has raised fears of an authoritarian turn not seen since India’s slip into dictatorship in the 1970s. In hosting Mr. Modi, Mr. Biden is pushing democracy concerns to the background .

The United States is trying to draw India closer , as the urgency for improved relations has intensified with Russia’s war on Ukraine. India has maintained military and economic relations with Russia, buying up Russian oil at a discount and staying away from backing United Nations resolutions that have condemned Russia’s aggression.

Mr. Modi gave an address to a joint session of Congress where he promoted his country’s development and played up what he described as common themes with the United States.

The two leaders announced initiatives advancing cooperation on telecommunications, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other areas. Mr. Modi agreed to sign the Artemis Accords — principles governing peaceful exploration of the moon, Mars and other celestial bodies — and they will announce a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. The United States and India also will open additional consulates in each other’s country.

Tonight, the Bidens will host Mr. Modi for a state dinner on the South Lawn. The vegetarian menu — in accordance with Mr. Modi’s diet — includes an optional fish entree. The first course will be a marinated millet and grilled corn kernel salad with compressed watermelon and avocado sauce, followed by a main course of stuffed portobello mushrooms and creamy saffron-infused risotto.

Suhasini Raj

Indian television heaps praise on Modi during his trip.

“Super King of Diplomacy,” read the ticker placed in bold on top of one news channel. “Long live our friendship,” said another. A third declared, “The Boss in America.”

Mainstream Indian news channels — in Hindi, English and some regional languages — covered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reception in Washington with adulation, praising his diplomatic skills for millions of viewers before a crucial election year for him.

The visuals from Washington played into what Mr. Modi has already set as one of his main campaign themes: tying India’s rise as a major economic power with his rise as a global statesman.

“The scale, the splendor, the warmth,” one headline enthused. Others, such as “Modi’s breakthrough diplomacy” and “Watch history being made,” flooded Indians’ homes Thursday evening as Mr. Modi walked the red carpet to meet President Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden.

“Their body language reflected that they were incomplete without one another,” one news anchor said as visuals of the two leaders shaking hands played on the screen.

Mr. Modi has carefully crafted his relationship with traditional news outlets, using a mix of incentives and pressure tactics to get most of them on his side.

When uncomfortable issues arise — a state election loss, an ethnic war resulting in weeks of unrest and bloodshed in a northeastern state, a deadly three-way train crash — they are quick to deflect blame away from Mr. Modi.

And when a major moment like the state visit to Washington comes, they are happy to join in the cheerleading — a factor that, combined with how Mr. Modi’s party has mastered social media to take his messages viral, helps explain Mr. Modi’s talent for shaping politics to his benefit.

The coverage of Mr. Modi’s visit to the United States is a political boon, setting the agenda in his favor before he launches himself full-time into campaign mode for parliamentary elections next year.

While many channels showed the White House dinner menu ad nauseam, calling it “dinner for friendship,” some others waxed eloquent about the importance of the gifts Mr. Modi had carried for the Bidens. One anchor declared of a military deal between the two countries: “The biggest defense deal. The hearts of enemies will burn!”

And when, at his news conference with Mr. Biden, Mr. Modi skirted a question on India’s grim human rights record and suppression of free speech, one Hindi-language news anchor came to his rescue on her show, saying he had “very bravely” faced the question.

Lisa Friedman

The U.S. and India agree to speed deployment of electric buses.

The United States and India have long been at odds over the responsibility of different countries in tackling climate change. But as Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up a visit to Washington, he and President Biden cast their nations as partners in the fight.

As Mr. Biden declared climate change an “existential threat to humanity” during a joint news conference on Thursday, Mr. Modi pledged that India was working to become a green energy hub. Both governments also announced plans to help India increase the production of electric vehicles and meet its ambitious goal of installing 500 gigawatts of wind, solar and other renewable energy this decade.

The Biden administration did not announce any direct U.S. funding for India. But senior administration officials said the governments had agreed on a plan they believed would encourage banks to give loans for electric buses, which are seen as a high-risk investment in India.

India aims to deploy 50,000 public electric buses over the next five years. The plan includes establishing three months of delayed payments so that companies can secure loans at lower rates. Biden administration officials said the payment security plan will help underwrite at least 10,000 electric buses.

The United States and India also announced a separate investment plan that officials said will be joined by private companies and others that aims to lower the cost of capital and attract international private finance for large-scale renewable energy projects. The joint announcement billed it a “first of its kind, multibillion dollar” package but no specific dollar figure from the United States or any other country or organization was announced.

Katie Rogers

Guests just started arriving at the White House for the state dinner. Some of the more notable names include Huma Abedin, a former senior adviser to Hillary Clinton; the designer Reem Acra; Apple’s Tim Cook; Hunter and Ashley Biden; and the president’s brother, James.

Alex Travelli and Mujib Mashal

Reporting from New Delhi

One accomplishment of Modi’s visit? Greater defense cooperation between India and the U.S.

One of the biggest takeaways from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit might be that it has injected new momentum into defense cooperation between the United States and India, a slow and turbulent undertaking in the past.

The two sides announced a deal for coproduction in India of engines for fighter aircraft, a $3 billion purchase of about 30 American Reaper drones by India, and a road map to expand cooperation between the two countries’ defense industries. There were also agreements on intelligence sharing and on space-based, quantum and other strategic technologies.

For the Biden administration, helping India expand its defense manufacturing tracks with its efforts to further isolate Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine . India has long relied on Russia for a majority of its military equipment, and any increase in manufacturing capability at home or diversification of its arms sources would lessen its purchases from Russia.

For India, the United States’ latest efforts to improve defense ties is in line with its attempt to grow its domestic manufacturing and reduce its reliance on foreign partners.

India’s military forces have stuck to most of the same weapons systems that they began using during the Cold War. India was neutral but tended to side more closely with the Soviet Union. Indian officials have said their dependence on Russian weapons over the decades was simply out of necessity: The U.S. long held back on sales of military equipment to India, and that has only started to change over the past two decades. As a result, the Indian armed forces still use equipment of Soviet design and specifications. Parts cannot be swapped out, piecemeal, for American-standard weaponry. In some rare cases, as with India’s use of Lockheed’s C-130 Hercules transport plane, a stand-alone American platform can be soldered onto the existing framework. But for the most part, the systems are not interoperable.

Technical challenges aside, one thing that the defense road map seems to be addressing is the reluctance that has kept the world’s biggest two democracies from seeing eye-to-eye. They have a long history of disagreement, over matters including Pakistan, Iraq and United Nations votes. But tensions with China are bringing them to the same table, especially after Indian and Chinese troops started clashing along their Himalayan border in 2020.

Australia and Japan, the other members of the fledgling security bloc aimed at containing China around the “Indo-Pacific region” (as the Americans renamed it, to include the Indian Ocean, in 2018), have long-established military partnerships and even alliances with the United States.

The “ Roadmap for U.S.-India Defense Industrial Cooperation ,” published earlier this month, illustrates the American goal of making India into something more like a formidable ally — and the Indian goal of beefing up its own capabilities. They find common cause in trying to “cooperatively produce the systems required to meet India’s military modernization objectives.”

But India’s ties with Russia are deep and cannot be undone quickly or with good will alone. Ajai Shukla, a retired colonel with the Indian Army who writes extensively about defense, is skeptical that America will find any durable role to play. He recalls how Alexander Kadakin, a Russian ambassador to India, liked to tell the story about visiting the Indian space centers and feeling more at home there than he did in Russia — because so many of the scientists were speaking Russian.

Karoun Demirjian

Modi waves to crowd in the third floor gallery, who stuck around to cheer him as he slowly makes his way toward the exit. Emphasis on slowly. He stopped for more autographs and pictures on the way out.

He texted from the speech to say that he “appreciated PM Modi’s unequivocal statement that India must be home to all faiths and celebrate all of them.” But he added that “American leaders need to also have the difficult conversations with Indian leaders about protecting minority rights, an open press and open internet.”

At the White House, some 400 guests are going to pass by reporters to attend the dinner. One of the guests is Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, who played a part in inviting Modi to give an address to Congress.

Here’s why Modi and many other Indian politicians stay single.

When President Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, take their place on the red carpet at the White House on Thursday to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, there will be an asymmetry of sorts in the picture-perfect setting.

Mr. Modi will go stag.

While a family-centric image is often a political selling point in the United States, in India, many top leaders — the prime minister among them — are proudly unattached, to make a statement that no other commitment can come between them and the nation.

Work-life balance? Not for politicians in the world’s largest democracy, who stay busy attending to the needs of 1.4 billion people and compete with one another in their declarations of sleep deprivation. (Mr. Modi clocks only four hours of slumber a night, his aides say.)

“Every moment of my time, every pore of my body, is only for my countrymen,” the prime minister said in 2019 after winning re-election .

India may seem a strange place for expressions of solitary political devotion. Here, family comes before self and arranged marriages keep families together. Nearly a third of new members of Parliament have had a relative in elected office or a prominent party position, according to one study .

But in a country tired of official corruption, with lawmakers enriching themselves and their families and ensuring political futures for their children, many voters have come to believe that single politicians are less likely to steal.

“The very strong perception,” said Ajoy Bose, a journalist and author, “is that they have no personal interest. That they belong to the people.”

Modi is sticking around in the well of the chamber to shake hands and sign autographs after the speech. In the gaggle of lawmakers around him are Representatives Shri Thanedar, Democrat of Michigan who was born in India; Mike Lawler, Republican of New York; Brad Sherman, Democrat of California; and Joe Wilson, Republican of South Carolina. Modi seems to be enjoying the attention and is not in a rush to leave the chamber -- though his security detail is trying to gently nudge him out.

As Modi makes his way out of the House chamber, he is stopped by members asking him to autograph their printed copies of his remarks.

Alex Travelli

India’s economy is already a star, but Modi wants the attention of American businesses and investors.

NEW DELHI — The state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India is full of eye-catching moments — practicing yoga outside the United Nations building in New York and addressing a joint session of Congress — that seem designed to burnish both India’s image on the world stage and his own image at home.

Apart from impressing voters back home and his fellow statesmen, Mr. Modi is hoping to get the attention of American businesses and investors.

India’s expanding economy is already in some ways a star. It displaced Britain as the world’s fifth biggest economy last year, and is on track to outpace both Germany and Japan in the decade ahead. The value of the companies listed on its stock markets are worth $3.3 trillion, more than ever before, and Mr. Modi’s government has tackled some challenges that have long stymied Indian growth, including rickety infrastructure and banks burdened with bad loans.

Foreign investors have taken notice, especially with much of the world’s economy looking shaky. A string of high-tech, high-value companies have flocked to India this year, with Apple and possibly Tesla making it known that they see a big future here.

But there are ominous signs, too. While foreign investment has been pouring in and the government has spent heavily on roads, energy and other public goods, private Indian investment has shrunk in proportion to the whole. And the incomes of average Indians have hardly budged in recent years, with most of the country still dependent on farming and many others working in jobs that barely keep them fed.

Indian and American policymakers and businessmen have been trying to devise ways that the United States could help India meet the moment — through a combination of trade, technology transfer, labor mobility and integration with global supply chains.

India’s trade with the United States is worth about $190 billion now, Atul Keshap, a former American ambassador to New Delhi who is president of the U.S.-India Business Council, said in an online discussion this week. It should soon be worth $500 billion, he argued, on par with the size of the U.S. trade relationships with only a few others: Canada, Mexico, the European Union and China.

The relationship could be boosted by the two countries’ altered relationships with China, not only in geopolitics, but also in civilian business and trade. American companies and political leaders are eyeing India — with its 1.4 billion people, same as China — as the sole country fit to shoulder some of the immense weight that China has carried in the world economy. “It’s a lot easier to invest $100 million in a country with 1.4 billion people than in a country with 40 million people,” said Cate Ambrose, chief executive of the Global Private Capital Association, an industry group focused on emerging markets.

With much of the world’s economy hindered by the war in Ukraine, inflation and other headwinds, the Indian economy’s power increasingly stands out. This week, Airbus, a European airplane-maker, signed deal to sell 500 aircraft to IndiGo, a low-cost Indian carrier founded in 2006. It is the kind of contract that American leaders dream of winning for the U.S. airplane giant Boeing.

Indians’ median incomes may be stagnant, even as gains made by wealthier people have brought the per capita income up to $1,200 a year. But the room for growth makes the country attractive as a consumer market. Last year, for example, 123 million passengers flew between India’s airports. The government’s goal is to reach 1 billion by 2040.

A new emphasis in the U.S.-India relationship is high-value manufacturing, and an initiative on emerging technologies has brought together government agencies from both countries to speed up cooperation on microchips, satellites and artificial intelligence. The White House argues that these projects, which sidestep bilateral trade negotiations, should help foster “resilient supply chains” for both countries.

Damien Cave

One of the things that makes Modi an interesting kind of popular leader in our current global moment might be his optimistic tone. He speaks of positive momentum, success and destiny more than flaws and enemies.

Mujib Mashal

As we wrote in our recent story about his role as a radio host, Modi has many avatars for keeping himself intimately omnipresent across India’s vastness — including that of a poet. He has written poetry in Gujarati, though he was reading a Hindi poem just now.

Congressional addresses often end with poetic language, but not usually poetry. After quoting the poem Amanda Gorman read at President Biden’s inauguration, Modi recited lines in Hindi that he penned himself.

On China, Modi has always been careful to avoid escalating tensions. When tensions at the India-China border escalated to bloody skirmishes, American diplomats were saying Modi’s government was not comfortable with U.S. officials mentioning China by name in statements made out of New Delhi.

A policy proposal from Modi, as he calls for the African Union to get full membership in the G20. (The speech so far has been big on promoting accomplishments but light on articulating demands for change.)

As Peter notes, the omissions of the words “Russia” and “China” show how carefully Modi is choosing his words as he supports the spirit of the U.S. position, while clearly signaling that India is not going to take a side in these geopolitical rivalries.

The technology transfer piece of the defense deal reflects not just improved U.S.-India ties, but also a major shift in how the United States works with allies in the Indo-Pacific. Australia is getting nuclear-powered subs from America. Japan is buying American Tomahawk missiles. It’s all part of a broader effort to balance China’s military growth.

U.S.-India defense relations have had to overcome a history of deep mistrust rooted in both bureaucracies. But it feels like the countries are turning a new page. The American defense secretary and national security adviser were both in New Delhi in the weeks before Modi’s visit to Washington.

India’s ties to Russia stretch decades, and India still relies on Russia for a majority of its military equipment. So India has been careful in calling for peace and dialogue while staying away from condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

In discussing Ukraine, Modi calls for respecting U.N. principles of sovereignty, earning a standing ovation. He also said “we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering.” However, India continues to buy a lot of oil from Russia, engaging in a practice that the United States argues fuels the Russian war machine.

Likewise, when he discusses “the dark clouds of coercion and confrontation” that are “casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific,” he leaves unstated who might be doing the coercing and confronting, never mentioning the word “China.”

When Modi mentions Ukraine, he shifts to passive construction. “With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe,” he said, without mentioning the word “Russia.”

Zolan Kanno-Youngs

Reporting from Washington

State Dinners: Who Gets Them, Who Doesn’t and Why They Matter

As President Biden welcomed India’s prime minister to the White House , the two leaders were looking for more than a fine vegetarian meal and a night of glitzy entertainment.

Under the guise of pomp and pageantry, state visits are a chance for presidents to push foreign dignitaries to align with American interests. They can be a way to celebrate old, ironclad alliances . And with high-profile guest lists , multicourse meals and top-flight entertainment, they are much-coveted invites in Washington .

“These are not just dinners,” said Matthew Costello, a senior historian for the White House Historical Association. “There’s a lot more that goes into them in terms of planning, in terms of invitations, and a lot is geopolitics, a lot is foreign policy.”

When President Dwight D. Eisenhower invited Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union, to the White House in 1959, he was focused on thawing Cold War tensions after the launch of Sputnik. Before President Barack Obama hosted President Xi Jinping of China, the two countries negotiated for weeks over an arms control accord for cyberspace. President Ulysses S. Grant held the first state dinner for King David Kalakaua of Hawaii to strengthen trade.

The dinners can also provide a window into the regions the United States is prioritizing — and the ones being neglected.

European and Latin American nations have received the most state dinner invitations, while sub-Saharan African and Southeast Asian nations have received the fewest, according to a study by the Center for Global Development that tracked 40 years of state visits from the Carter to Obama administrations.

Out of 160 dinners, just 15 were with guests from sub-Saharan Africa, the study found.

“To be a foreign leader and not get the state dinner, you feel snubbed,” said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian. “It’s often the smaller countries in the world who don’t get them, but when you’re dealing with big power players like India, it’s a must.”

The invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India was not without controversy. Mr. Biden has made the global struggle between democracy and autocracy a key part of his foreign policy, but Mr. Modi’s government has cracked down on dissent in ways that have raised fears of authoritarianism.

Still, the White House views the world’s most populous nation as a potentially welcome addition to its coalition against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as a crucial player in its growing economic competition with China.

The other nations whose leaders received the official invitation to dine with Mr. Biden — France and South Korea — have also been partners in Mr. Biden’s effort to confront Russia.

The state dinner can sometimes be a means of smoothing over hiccups among allies.

Mr. Biden hosted President Emmanuel Macron of France for the first state visit of his administration, more than a year after the two nations feuded over a deal to provide Australians with nuclear-powered submarines. Mr. Biden invited Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, for a state visit after he canceled a trip there in May because of negotiations over the debt ceiling with congressional Republicans.

“There are multiple times we see presidents using these visits to not just describe immediate concerns, but also to talk through short-term and long-term solutions,” Mr. Costello said.

Domestic politics often hang over the dinner, as well.

Julianna Smoot, Mr. Obama’s social secretary from 2010 to 2011, said she made sure to invite the often-feuding majority and minority leaders of the Senate, Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, to state dinners for a rare détente. Governors and mayors who had previously expressed support or campaigned for the president were likely to make the list. And the primary donors of presidential campaigns could expect an invitation, particularly if they had business connections to the visiting nation.

“They didn’t become donors in politics because they were slouches,” Ms. Smoot said. “A lot of them do international work and have an interest” in attending the dinner.

The prospect of strengthening political partnerships overseas and within U.S. borders was usually enough to get a quick response from invitees.

“You’re supposed to say yes,” Ms. Smoot said of responding to the invitations, “unless there’s a death in the family.”

Cheers and laughs for Modi’s hat tip to how well Indian American kids have done in successive national spelling bees.

Mentioning that the United States “has become one of our most important defense partners” gets a standing ovation. Not mentioned: India still buys weapons from Russia.

Another thought on Modi’s sales pitch. William Dalrymple, the esteemed historian of India’s past empires, told me recently that India’s sense of overconfidence might be its biggest problem at the moment, hindering the country’s ability to fully confront and solve the enormous challenges it faces, like youth unemployment and social, economic and religious divides.

Very true, Karoun. Not much love for digital payments here in a chamber that has struggled with how to regulate technology of any kind!

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Watch: PM Modi Attends Royal Dinner Hosted By Queen Of Denmark, Margrethe II

Pm modi denmark visit: earlier in the day, the prime minister arrived in copenhagen and held a bilateral meeting with his danish counterpart mette frederiksen, where the two leaders discussed bilateral issues including trade between the two countries and cooperation on environmental action..

PM Modi attended a dinner hosted by the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II at the Amalienborg Palace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attended a dinner hosted by the Queen of the Kingdom of Denmark, Margrethe II at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.

The official dinner was the last item on the agenda of PM Modi on the second day of his visit to Europe.

#WATCH | Queen of the Kingdom of Denmark, Margrethe II hosted an official dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark. pic.twitter.com/HaU9vYre0y — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister arrived in Copenhagen and held a bilateral meeting with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen, where the two leaders discussed bilateral issues including trade between the two countries and cooperation on environmental action.

The two leaders also held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

PM Modi and his counterpart also discussed Ukraine, with Prime Minister Modi reiterating India's stand of early cessation of hostilities and a diplomatic resolution of the ongoing conflict.

The two leaders went on to address a joint press conference, where a number of agreements were formally signed between the two countries including a Declaration of Intent (DoI) on Migration and Mobility, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of skill development, Vocational Education and Entrepreneurship and the launch of energy policy dialogue at ministerial level between the two countries.

A total of nine agreements were exchanged between the two countries.

In the evening, PM Modi also addressed the members of the Indian diaspora in Copenhagen with the Danish PM also accompanying him.

More than 1,000 members of the Indian community in Denmark consisting of students, researchers, professionals and business persons, participated in the event according to an MEA statement.

Prime Minister appreciated Danish PM Frederiksen's warmth and respect for Indians and emphasized that both countries can work together in finding innovative solutions for green growth. He lauded the positive role played by the Indian community in Denmark, Ministry of External Affairs said.

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PM Modi is scheduled to take part in the second India-Nordic summit on Wednesday, before departing to Paris where he will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.  

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India’s PM Narendra Modi misses Queen’s funeral as president Droupadi Murmu meets King Charles

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India’s president Droupadi Murmu on Sunday met King Charles at Buckingham Palace during her three-day visit to the UK to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II , as prime minister Narendra Modi stayed back in New Delhi .

Ms Murmu is representing India at a series of events around the funeral that are being attended by hundreds of foreign dignitaries. The Independent previously reported that Mr Modi would not be attending as the two leaders do not typically leave the country on foreign visits at the same time.

The recently-elected president arrived late on Saturday in London to offer “condolences on behalf of the government of India”.

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PM Modi US Visit Highlights: New and proud journey of India-US ties has begun, says PM Modi

Pm modi in us highlights: pm modi addressed a gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country and left for cairo..

PM Modi US Visit 2023 Highlights: Prime Minister wrapped up his three-day visit to the United States with an address to the Indian community members. Cheering up the crowd, he said that people of Indian origin will not have to leave the US for getting H-1B visa renewal, PTI reported. He departed for Cairo for his first state visit to Egypt.

He also emphasised that a new and proud journey of India-US ties has begun and the world is watching the two great democracies strengthening their bond.

Before that, he met with top CEOs at the White House in Washington, news agency PTI reported. On Friday, he said the India-US partnership is not of convenience but one of conviction, shared commitments and compassion.

In his address to young entrepreneurs and professionals at the John F Kennedy Center here, Modi said whenever India has become strong, the world has benefited.

United States president Joe Biden , Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Mahindra and Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra, American astronaut Sunita Williams attended the meeting. He is set to meet US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. PM Modi will also address a gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country. Scroll down for the latest updates!

Meanwhile, during a state dinner on Thursday, PM Modi and US President Joe Biden hailed a new era in their countries’ relationship. “Two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers. Cheers,” Biden told Modi in a toast at the state dinner. “You are soft spoken, but when it comes to action, you are very strong,” PM Modi replied. On the guest list at the state dinner were several top executives from across the world, including Reliance Industries Chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani, Apple ’s Tim Cook and Google CEO Sunday Pichai.

Underlining that India and the US come from different circumstances and history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that this visit is one of the “great positive transformation ” and together they will demonstrate that “democracy is better and democracies deliver”. Modi, who addressed the joint session of the US Congress for almost an hour punctuated by applause and standing ovation for the second time, said, “When I was here in 2016, I said that our relationship is primed for a momentous future. That future is today.”

PM Modi US Visit Highlights: PM Modi meets US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at White House, attend State dinner | Scroll down for the latest updates

Derek O’Brien writes: The speech I wish Prime Minister Modi gave in the US

As a representative of the world’s largest democracy and an emissary of its goodwill to the world’s oldest democracy, I am honoured and delighted to be speaking once again before you. For democratic republics such as India and the United States, chambers and buildings such as this one — the Houses of Congress on Capitol Hill here in Washington, DC, and Parliament House in New  Delhi — are embodiments of popular sovereignty, repositories of the people’s trust and monuments blessed with the sacredness of a church, a temple, or indeed a mosque. Read more

Express View on PM Modi’s US visit: No longer defensive

When he addressed the joint session of the US Congress seven years ago this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared that India had ended its “historic hesitations” in dealing with the United States. Modi’s claim had credibility, given his record on improving relations with the US during the first two years as prime minister. In the years that followed, PM Modi took consistent steps to expand the engagement with the US. Read more

A footnote once, tech is the new driver of India-US diplomacy

The incredibly ambitious agenda for technology cooperation — ranging from artificial intelligence to outer space and quantum computing to telecommunications — unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden has the potential to transform the character of India-US bilateral relations and contribute to the restructuring of the regional and global order.

In a joint statement issued after the talks at the White House, the two leaders committed their governments to “facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between U.S. and Indian industry, government, and academic institutions.” They also directed the two bureaucracies to make “regular efforts to address export controls” and “enhance high technology commerce” between the two nations. C Raja Mohan explains

PM Modi shares glimpses of his US visit

PM Modi tweeted, "Concluding a very special USA visit, where I got to take part in numerous programmes and interactions aimed at adding momentum to the India-USA friendship. Our nations will keep working together to make our planet a better place for the coming generations."

Attended a vibrant program celebrating our Indian diaspora. A heartfelt tribute to the strength, diversity and contribution of our overseas community. Their passion is our pride! pic.twitter.com/0CnlzIUm4K — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 24, 2023

'US govt decided to return more than 100 antiquities stolen from India'

During his address to the diaspora , PM Modi also mentioned that the US government has decided to return antiquities stolen from India. “I am happy that the American government has decided to return more than 100 antiquities of India that were stolen from us. These antiquities had reached the international markets. I express my gratitude to the American government for this,” he said.

'Delighted to interact with the diaspora': PM Modi

'The India-USA partnership is driven by conviction and compassion. It is also a friendship that has bipartisan support,' PM Modi tweeted

Delighted to interact with the diaspora at the community programme in Washington DC. https://t.co/zc9HODeLX5 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023

New and proud journey of India-US ties has begun: PM Modi

Wrapping up his four-day State Visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that a new and proud journey of India-US ties has begun and the world is watching the two great democracies strengthening their bond. Addressing a cheerful gathering of Indian community members, Modi said the full potential of partnership between the two countries is yet to be realised and their ties is all about making the world better again in the 21st century, PTI reported

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, he said, referring to agreements on technology transfer, boosting manufacturing and strengthening industrial supply chain.Both countries are taking strong steps for a better future, said the prime minister at the community address, which was the last programme of Modi in the US. He will now fly to Egypt on a State Visit at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He 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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the India-US partnership is not of convenience but one of conviction, shared commitments and compassion.In his address to young entrepreneurs and professionals at the John F Kennedy Center here, Modi said whenever India has become strong, the world has benefited.The prime minister said this was seen during the Covid pandemic. When the world needed medicines, India increased its production and provided medicines, he said at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, according to PTI reports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has applauded Vice President Kamala Harris for her achievements, saying she was an inspiration to women across the world including India and the United States. According to PTI, Modi also heaped praise on Harris’ mother and said she kept her relationship with India alive despite living thousands of miles away.“Madam Vice President, you have taken this inspiration today to newer heights. Your achievements are an inspiration to not only the women in America but to women in India and women all across the world. This is really inspiring,” Modi said in his remarks at a State Department luncheon hosted in his honor by Harris and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Friday.

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment to strengthening US-India ties, as she along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted a luncheon for the Indian leader at the State Department.

Prime Minister Modi is currently in Washington on a state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday. Biden also held a state dinner for him on Thursday.

"Prime Minister Modi, President Joe Biden and I are grateful for your commitment to strengthening the ties...between the United States and India. And we share that commitment under your leadership and that of President Biden our partnership has become more expansive than it has ever been," she said.

Harris said over the past two and a half years she along with Prime Minister Modi advanced cooperation on climate change on clean energy, terrorism, cybercrime, public health and vaccine production.

"And during this trip, our countries have launched new areas of cooperation from artificial intelligence to semiconductors. As we look toward the future, the United States and India, the world's oldest and largest democracies, instinctively turn to each other and are increasingly aligned," Harris said.

Harris also mentioned her mother Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist who hailed from Chennai, during her address.

She also spoke about her deep connection to India and her grandfather.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the combination of technology and talent will be a guarantee for a bright future for the world.

Modi made the remark at the India-US Hi-Tech handshake event organised at the White House and attended by US President Joe Biden and CEOs of top Indian and American companies.

"This morning (meeting) is only among a few friends but has brought with it the guarantee of a bright future," he said as President Biden nodded.

Modi, who is on a state visit to the US, also stressed that there is a great opportunity for everyone to take along Biden's vision and capabilities and India's aspirations and possibilities.

United States president Joe Biden Friday addressed the top CEOs at a meeting in Washington, news agency PTI reported.

VIDEO | US President Joe Biden addresses top CEOs during a meeting in Washington. #PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/cdDWzRHJ4t — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held one-on-one meeting with top CEOs in Washington, news agency PTI reported. United States president Joe Biden, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Mahindra and Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra, American astronaut Sunita Williams attended the meeting, the news agency reported.

VIDEO | PM Modi holds one-on-one meeting with top CEOs in Washington. #PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/u6Nbu3rsGX — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the historic Al-Hakim Mosque during his two-day State visit to Egypt.

The visit is set to begin from June 24 (Friday). The visit to Cairo, the first by Modi as Prime Minister, comes weeks after Egypt skipped the G20 working group meeting in Srinagar along with China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

PM Modi will be visiting the historic Al-Hakim Mosque on his two-day State visit to Egypt which is set to begin from June 24. PTI will be on ground to bring you all the latest visuals from PM's visit. pic.twitter.com/nwPXsBQdB8 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023

Dear Readers,

While  addressing the US Congress , Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that when he first visited the US as the PM, India was the world’ 10th largest economy and eight years later it is the fifth-largest economy of the world. Further, he said that soon India will be the world’s third-largest economy in the world.

This categorisation of economies is based on aggregate GDP levels stated in current US dollar terms. In other words, one calculates the market value of all goods and services that are produced in every country in a year and then expresses it in terms of US dollars.

CHART 1 shows the top 10 economies by size and their GDP level in trillions of dollars. There is a vast gap between the US and China, which occupy the first two slots, and the rest of the field. Udit Misra explains.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to United States as "unprecedented," saying that several diplomatic and strategic decisions taken during the visit shall help build a "new India" with economic progress, news agency PTI reported.

BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani, addressing a press conference at party's headquarters, said that the visit has led to "significant outcomes" in defence sector, mong others. "Fifteen standing ovations and over a hundred applause to the prime minister's speech at the US Congress, this was not only the hallmark of the prime minister's visit to the US but what is unprecedented is the Indo-US partnership in many critical areas which will help serve a better future the Indian populace," she added.

"Several diplomatic and strategic decisions were taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US which will help build a new India with the resolve of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and provide opportunities of economic progress to Indians," she said.

Irani said that NASA and ISRO will develop a "strategic framework" for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023, and a joint Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism will help facilitate collaboration between the industry, academic and government, according to the report.

"Those who want to deflect attention from the prime minister's personal efforts undertaken in strategic cooperation in defence, artificial intelligence, ecosystem of semiconductor assembly line and critical mineral engagements would like to raise the minority bogey," she charged. As the general elections come closer such "political gas-lighting" is expected, she claimed. "What I am grateful to is the prime minister's steadfast focus on issues that are critical to Indian economy," she added, the report said. (PTI)

The decision of the United States and India to end six major trade disputes at World Trade Organization (WTO) is a "big victory" and will be mutually beneficial for both countries, India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, news agency PTI reported.

The resumption of talks at the Trade Policy Forum has started yielding significant results, Goyal said. New Delhi will also remove retaliatory customs duties on certain American products such as almonds, walnuts, and apples, according to the report.

A joint statement issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in Washington said the two leaders welcomed the resolution of six outstanding WTO disputes through mutually agreed solutions. "It is a big victory for India and is a mutually beneficial arrangement for both countries," Goyal told the reporters. He said, now there are no pending India-US disputes at WTO.

"So, India and the US by the end of this year will have no disputes. All the six major ones have gone," the minister said adding "for the first time bilaterally we are ending the disputes." In 2015, India lost a long-pending dispute over poultry imports from the US at WTO's dispute settlement body. India had 12 months to comply with the WTO order. The US had sought trade sanctions against India in this case.

The six disputes include countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, measures relating to the renewable energy sector, export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products, and additional duties on some products from the US. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held  high-level talks  with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, following which the latter described the ties between the two nations as “stronger than ever.”

Modi, who is on his maiden ‘ state visit’  to the United States, also  addressed  the US Congress – becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so twice. “When India grows, it influences and uplifts everyone,” he told the American parliament.

In the evening, the Bidens hosted a grand  state banquet in Modi’s honour – a celebrity-studded affair attended by top Indian and American leaders. Read more

In a decision that will bring the two countries’ space programmes closer than ever before,   India on Thursday signed on to the three-year-old Artemis Accords , a US-led alliance seeking to facilitate international collaboration in planetary exploration and research.

In a related development, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will partner the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the US in sending a joint mission to the International Space Station, a permanent laboratory in space, next year. It was not immediately clear whether the joint mission would include an Indian astronaut to the space station. Read more

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first State visit to the US unfolded and he met President Joe Biden, the announcement of a mega deal between the  General Electric Aerospace and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited  for the manufacture under licence in India of GE’s F414 engine for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 sent a clear message – the beginning of the end of the technology denial regime.

Besides jet engines, deals on procuring drones, a space mission and manufacturing chips in India are among the big-ticket announcements. Read more

Mary Millben, a prominent African-American Hollywood actress and singer will perform on Friday at the concluding event for the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, news agecy PTI reported. 

Millben is popular in India for her singing of the National Anthem Jan Gana Mana and Om Jai Jagdiseh Hare. She will perform the Indian national anthem at an invitation-only, diaspora event hosted by the United States Indian Community Foundation (USICF) at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington DC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attended the US state dinner hosted by US President at White House where both the leaders expressed that the occasion celebrates great bonds of friendship between India and the United States.

They hailed a new era in their nation’s relationship and spoke about deals on defence and commerce, which are aimed at countering China’s influence. Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first State visit to the US will take bilateral ties in areas of space, defence, emerging technology and supply chains to the next level, Vice President Kamala Harris has said.

Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016.

"The US-India partnership is stronger than ever. Together, our nations will shape the future as we work to create a more prosperous, secure, and healthy world," Harris' office tweeted on Thursday. (PTI)

Welcome, @narendramodi . The partnership between the United States and India is one of the most important of the 21st century, and this visit will take our partnership to the next level — from space, to defense, to emerging technology and supply chains. pic.twitter.com/B55N16jRt7 — Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 22, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the members of the US Congress for coming together to celebrate their country's ties with India, saying there must be a contest of ideas at home but people must also come together as one while speaking for the nation.

Modi's remarks in his address to a joint session of the US Congress on Thursday came against the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi's frequent swipes at his government during his visits abroad, which the ruling BJP has often projected as the opposition leader's bid to malign the country from foreign soil to target the central government.  (PTI) 

"Prime Minister's visit to the United States has resulted in significant outcomes in the areas of defence, renewable energy and critical mineral cooperation, to name a few," Union Minister Smriti Irani said while addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

She further said that the MoU on semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership will promote not only research but commercial opportunities as well.

Union Minister Smt. @smritiirani addresses a press conference at party headquarters in New Delhi. https://t.co/RTuCm1lcB0 — BJP (@BJP4India) June 23, 2023

Top American lawmakers have applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his address to the Joint Meeting of the US Congress that called for deepening the strong friendship between the two democracies, fostered by a range of close economic ties and expanded cooperation on areas like defence, trade and technology.

Representing 1.4 billion Indians, Modi who addressed the US Congress on Thursday, said it is always a great honour and an exceptional privilege to address the US Congress twice. This is the second time that the prime minister has addressed the US Congress, the first time being in 2016. (PTI) 

Big names in the tech world and billionaire industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Google CEO Sunder Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook were among those invited to the State Dinner hosted in the honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday.

The menu, comprising mostly vegetarian dishes, taking note of the dietary restrictions of the visiting prime minister, included marinated millets, stuffed mushrooms, grilled corn kernel salad and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake.

More than 400 guests were invited for the dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a specially decorated pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House. (PTI)

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has said that technology cooperation featured prominently in the discussion between India and the US and described it as one of the most substantive outcomes of the ongoing state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Very clearly, technology, in particular advanced technology, across all domains ranging from defence to space and energy is one of the most important substantive outcomes," he told reporters in a media briefing on Thursday.

"Technology featured in talks, not in a limited way but technology cooperation across the ecosystem. This included technology transfer, services and working together in research among other domains," he added. (PTI)

During the official state dinner at the White House PM Narendra Modi talked about the growing popularity of Cricket in the US.

"Amidst the love for Baseball, Cricket is also getting popular in the US. The American team is trying their best to qualify for the Cricket World Cup to be held in India later this year. I wish them good luck and success," PM Modi said.

#WATCH | Amidst the love for Baseball, Cricket is also getting popular in the US. The American team is trying their best to qualify for the Cricket World Cup to be held in India later this year. I wish them good luck and success: PM Modi during the official State Dinner at The… pic.twitter.com/996i2fkdJx — ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023

Plant-based   courses of millet and stuffed mushrooms were on the menu for some 400 guests invited to Thursday’s fancy White House state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi is a vegetarian and first lady Jill Biden enlisted California-based chef Nancy Curtis, who specializes in plant-based cooking, to help in the kitchen. Biden previewed the menu and decor for the news media on Wednesday after she returned from an outing with the prime minister. Read more

On Thursday (local time), 'Naatu Naatu' was highlighted by PM Narendra Modi in a special address during the State dinner at the White House.

"With every passing day, Indians and Americans are getting to know each other better. We can pronounce each other's name correctly, we can understand each other's accent better... Children in India become Spider-Man on Halloween and America's youth is dancing to the tunes of 'Naatu Naatu'," PM Modi said. (ANI)

#WATCH | Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra briefs about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing State visit to the USA pic.twitter.com/vPuK2IpYr0 — ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023

Acknowledging the progress made by Indian Americans in the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that they have played a significant role in further strengthening the inclusive society and economy of the US.

During his speech at the state dinner held at the White House, PM Modi said, "Indian Americans have come a long way in the US and have always found a respectful place in America's melting pot. Indian Americans have played a significant role in further strengthening the inclusive society and economy of the US." He also thanked US President Joe Biden for hosting a wonderful dinner and making the visit successful. (ANI)

#WATCH | US Congressmen lined up to take autographs and selfies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his address to the joint sitting of the US Congress, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/wkPdacGjHN — ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023

US President Joe Biden by his side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that “democracy is in our DNA”, and “there is absolutely no question of discrimination” regardless of “caste, creed, religion and gender”. He was responding to a journalist’s question about what steps his government is willing to take to improve the rights of minorities in India and to uphold free speech.

At the joint press conference where the leaders took questions from one reporter from each side, Biden, on being asked about raising issues of human rights and democracy with the visiting Prime Minister, said, “Prime Minister and I had a good discussion about democratic values… and that is the best part of our relationship. We are straightforward with each other and we respect each other.” Read more

In an almost one hour speech to the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon a variety of themes. They were met with applause and standing ovation several times by the US Congress members, including Vice President Kamala Harris.

The speech this time was longer in duration than last time, which was about 45 minutes in 2016.

Here are the 15 key takeaways from the PM’s speech

PM Naredra Modi thanked US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for hosting the State Dinner in his honour at the White House. "I extend my heartfelt appreciation to US President Joe Biden for hosting this remarkable dinner today. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to First Lady Jill Biden for her exceptional hospitality and diligent efforts in ensuring the success of my visit," says Modi.

#WATCH | I want to thank US President Joe Biden for this wonderful dinner today. I would also like to thank First Lady Jill Biden for taking care of my visit to make it successful. Yesterday evening you opened the doors of your house for me: PM Modi during the official State… pic.twitter.com/ZQqzZV2kz5 — ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023

Jill and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with Prime Minister Modi today, expresses US President Joe Biden. Tonight, we are celebrating the exceptional bonds of friendship between India and the United States, he added.

VIDEO | 'Tonight it's a fitting way to celebrate,' says US President Joe Biden as he hosts PM Modi for State Dinner at the White House. #PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/Bvvw8tK9q1 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023

US President Joe Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, make their way towards the venue for the State Dinner at the White House.

#WATCH | US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi head towards the venue for the State dinner at the White House. pic.twitter.com/IRlOuP4H72 — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Guests continue to arrive arriving at the White House ahead of the State Dinner hosted for PM Modi. Google CEO Sundar Pichai, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella are in attendance.

VIDEO | More visuals of guests arriving at the White House ahead of the State Dinner hosted for PM Modi. #PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/giMSq5Frcb — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the White House for State Dinner.

VIDEO | PM Modi poses for shutterbugs with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden ahead of the State Dinner hosted for him at the White House. #PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/RZQkfTKsPX — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2023

Prime Minister Modi categorically stated that terrorism is an enemy of humanity. PM Modi stressed the importance of confronting terrorism head-on while speaking to the joint session of the US Congress.

He said that radicalization and terrorism continue to pose serious challenges to the entire world even 20 years after 9/11 and 10 years after the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. 

It is essential for us to defeat any organisations that sponsor and export terrorism, adds Modi.

Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs and buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the joint sitting of the US Congress pic.twitter.com/mxfKyg6E1U — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Speaking to the US Congress' joint session, the prime minister declared that India had reached a critical milestone by becoming the only G20 nation to carry out its obligation under the Paris Agreement.

India has outperformed expectations by achieving its objective of using more than 40% renewable energy sources, which was attained nine years earlier than the initial target date of 2030, said PM Modi.

#WATCH | "...We became the only G20 country to meet its Paris commitment. We made renewables account for over 40% of our energy sources 9 years ahead of the target of 2030. But we did not stop there. At the Glasgow Summit, I proposed mission LiFE...Our mission is pro-planet… pic.twitter.com/6qnS29U4ZI — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

PM Modi stresses the urgent need to put an end to the bloodshed in the Ukraine war, urging for all possible efforts to be made in order to achieve that.

PM Modi said that India lives by the motto of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' — that the world is one family. He emphasized that it is the same attitude that India highlights as it chairs the G20 Summit.

In modern India, women are at the forefront of shaping a better future, says PM Modi during his address to the joint session of the US Congress.

He highlights that India's vision extends beyond mere development that benefits women; it encompasses a paradigm of women-led development, where women take charge of the journey towards progress.

#WATCH | "...today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. India's vision is not just of development that benefits women. It is of women-led development where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background to be our Head of… pic.twitter.com/VwvucEA6VX — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Referring to the example of Draupadi Murmu, PM Modi applauded the ascent of a woman from a tribal background to become the President of India.

#WATCH | '...today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. India's vision is not just of development that benefits women. It is of women-led development where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background to be our Head of… pic.twitter.com/VwvucEA6VX — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

When I first visited the US as Prime Minister, India held the position of the 10th largest economy globally. Today, I am proud to announce that India has risen to become the 5th largest economy. And I assure you, we are on track to become the third-largest economy in the near future. Not only are we expanding in size, but we are also growing at an accelerated pace, adds PM Modi.

He asserts that India's progress and economic growth have far-reaching implications, benefiting not only the nation itself but also having an impact on the entire world. When India grows, it influences and uplifts everyone, says PM Modi during his address to the joint session of the US Congress.

#WATCH | 'When I first visited the US as a PM, India was the 10th largest economy in the world. Today, India is the 5th largest economy. India will be the 3rd largest economy soon. We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster. When India grows the whole world… pic.twitter.com/saO9qgM7IA — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Democracy is a sacred and shared value embraced by both India and the United States. He acknowledges that throughout history, it has been evident that democracy upholds the principles of equality and dignity, says PM Modi. Democracy, according to him, is not just an idea, but a vibrant spirit that encourages open discussions and debates. It is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of both nations.

PM Modi further emphasizes that India is fortunate to have cherished these democratic values since time immemorial. He affirms the commitment to work together with the United States in order to create a brighter future for the world. By fostering democracy and upholding its values, the Prime Minister believes that they can collectively contribute to a better world for generations to come.

#WATCH | Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. Throughout history, one thing has been clear, democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and… pic.twitter.com/UmikrInO2V — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts that the foundation of America is inspired by the vision of a nation of equal citizens. He emphasises the presence of millions of people with Indian ancestors throughout the country, some of whom are proudly seated in the chamber, including one directly behind him, pointing to the Indian origin of US Vice President Kamala Harris.

#WATCH | 'I can relate to the battles of patience, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together to celebrate the bonds between two great democracies - India and the United States,' PM Narendra Modi addresses… pic.twitter.com/VwS6T7sj1D — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the US House of Representatives, where he is warmly welcomed by the enthusiastic chants of 'Modi Modi'.

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at the US House of Representatives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will shortly address the Joint Session of the United States Congress.

#WATCH | US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at the US House of Representatives, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the joint session of the US Congress. pic.twitter.com/2M50A7NHhk — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Prior to his address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy at the US Capitol.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy at the US Capitol. (Source: Speaker's office) pic.twitter.com/X4VacW1rEz — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Capitol Hill, where he will address the Joint Session of the United States Congress.

#WATCH | Washington, DC | Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Capitol Hill where he will address the Joint Sitting of the US Congress shortly. pic.twitter.com/82IR0bbtQF — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Joint Session of the United States Congress shortly. Outside Capitol Hill, members of the Indian diaspora are waiting for PM Modi.

Washington, DC | Members of the Indian diaspora stand outside Capitol Hill, as they await the arrival of PM Narendra Modi. PM will address the Joint Sitting of the US Congress shortly. pic.twitter.com/ZQf4XvX3kt — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

PM Modi claims that the two countries' economic relationship is booming, with trade nearly doubling over the last decade to approach $191 billion.

He emphasises that this expansion has resulted in the development of tens of thousands of high-quality jobs in both India and the United States. PM Modi goes on to say that as a result of this strong economic alliance, one million American jobs in 44 states will be supported.

#WATCH | Our economic relationship is booming. Trade between our countries has almost doubled over the past decade to more than $191 billion supporting tens of thousands of good jobs in both India and the United States. One million American jobs across 44 states will be supported… pic.twitter.com/apMtQDCPQZ — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

At a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden at the White House, PM Modi declares that the partnership between India and the US knows no bounds.

“Even Sky isn’t the limit for India and US partnership. Indian-Americans are the real strength between India and the US and their relations”, says PM Modi at a joint PC with US President Joe Biden at the White House. #PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/Hfiq35dEP1 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2023

PM Modi acknowledges that Indian-Americans are the true backbone of the India-US relationship, emphasizing their vital role in strengthening the ties between the two nations.

PM Modi expressed his surprise regarding the statements made about discrimination against religious minorities, emphasizing the deeply ingrained democratic values in both India and America.

The PM highlighted that democracy is an integral part of their national identity and shared heritage, flowing through their veins and spirits. Modi affirmed that democracy is not just a concept but a living reality manifested in their constitutions and governments.

Democracy can deliver and when we talk about democracy, there is no discrimination on basis of caste, creed, religion etc: PM Modi — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2023

US President Joe Biden underlines that the partnership between the United States and India as one of the most significant in the world, with unprecedented strength, closeness, and dynamism compared to any other time in history.

President Biden revealed that Indian companies are declaring over $2 billion in investments in the United States during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington.

The partnership is among the most consequential in the world that is stronger, closer and more dynamic in any time in history: US President Joe Biden issues joint press statement with PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/PtXpFW9LiW — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023

US President Joe Biden and PM Modi enter the East Room of the White House for a joint press briefing.

US President Joe Biden and PM Modi arrive at the East Room of the White House for joint press briefing. #PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/hy4fYhnO5c — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2023

India-US relationship is not only important for both the nations but also for the world. Today holds a special importance in history of India-US relations today, we discussed several regional and global issues during our meeting: PM Modi

The India-US relationship is reaching a new high point. But the significance of  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip  to the US will be obscured by short-term political framings. There will be the sheer political theatre of the US courting India and the Prime Minister leveraging this moment to shore up his domestic political legitimacy. There will be the disappointment of those who think the Biden Administration is actually going out of its way to give its imprimatur on the state of India’s democracy. But “democracy” was not going to be an issue in this phase of India-US relations.

PRATAP BHANU MEHTA WRITES | Making of a high point

PM Modi will address a joint session of the US Congress on June 22 , becoming the first Indian prime minister to be accorded this honour twice. Before him, only a handful of Indian PMs have given speeches to US Congressmen and Congresswomen. Here is a look at all those addresses and the context in which they were delivered.

Who are the Indian PMs who have addressed US Congress in the past? Read here

State visits are the highest-ranked category of foreign visits to the US, where the head of a state visits the US on the formal invitation of the US President. Before Modi, the only two state visits under President Joe Biden have been by France’s President Emmanuel Macron and South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol. Invitation for a state visit signifies that the US considers the guest nation an important friend and ally.

Express Explained | What is a state dinner, which he will attend at the White House?

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• Why Queen Elizabeth II's handshake with PM Narendra Modi was unique

Why Queen Elizabeth II's handshake with PM Narendra Modi was unique

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the inauguration of the Global Buddhist Summit, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

President Joe Biden walk towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, to travel to the Hudson Valley in New York. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House next month, courting an Indo-Pacific leader with whom he has sought stronger ties as the United States looks to blunt China’s growing assertiveness in the region.

Modi’s visit June 22 “will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday in announcing the Indian leader’s official state visit.

Biden and Modi will focus on their countries’ commitment to a free and secure Indo-Pacific region, as well as on their technology partnerships, including in defense, clean energy and space, she said. They will also discuss common challenges, including climate change, health security and developing the workforce.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the visit will “underscore the growing importance of the strategic partnership between India and the United States”

“This historic visit offers a valuable opportunity for India and the US to further deepen a comprehensive and forward-looking global strategic partnership,” the Indian government said.

U.S.-India relations under Biden have been warm, but also marked by complexity as Biden has sought stronger ties with the world’s largest democracy while at the same time looking to counter China’s growing economic and military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Since coming to office, Biden has sought to reinvigorate the Quad, an international partnership with the U.S., Australia, India and Japan. But unlike the other Quad countries and nearly every other major U.S. ally, India has not imposed sanctions on Russia and has offered only limited criticism of its invasion of Ukraine. Russia is India’s biggest supplier of military hardware.

The partnership first formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to host Biden, Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a Quad Leaders’ Summit in Sydney later this month.

As Biden worked to unite the world against Russia, India boosted its imports of Russian oil. That allowed India to increase its energy supplies at a discount as its economy struggled to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

When Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September, he offered measured public comments about Russia’s actions in Ukraine. “I know that today’s era is not of war,” Modi told Putin.

But Biden has put a premium stronger economic ties with India and other Indo-Pacific nations amid growing competition with China. That’s helped soften the differences between the U.S. and India over Russia.

“So even though, on Russia, Ukraine, and a whole range of other issues around the world, we do have differences in approaches and different views,” said Richard Rossow, senior adviser and chairperson of U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington “On the threat that we both kind of agree is the major emerging threat ... for the next generations, there’s very little daylight in our perception there.”

Last year, Biden launched a trade deal with India and 11 other Indo-Pacific nations called the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework . The White House said the agreement would help those economies work more closely on issues including supply chains, digital trade, clean energy, worker protections and anticorruption efforts.

The president is likely to face criticism from human rights advocates for inviting Modi on a state visit and for plans plans to celebrate him at a state dinner, which is a high diplomatic honor reserved for close U.S. allies.

Press freedom in India has declined in recent years and opponents of Modi’s governing Hindu nationalist party have accused it of stifling dissent and introducing divisive policies that discriminate against Muslims and other minorities.

Modi has also been accused of trying to silence critics of his administration’s handling of the pandemic.

India routinely denies criticism of its human rights record. It has also rejected criticism by foreign governments and rights groups that civil liberties have contracted in the country.

Asked about the optics of lavish treatment for Modi, Jean-Pierre said Biden always discusses human rights concerns with his counterparts. She said the U.S.-India relationship is critical.

“This is an important relationship as we speak about the Indo-Pacific, as we talk about how to move forward in that region,” Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday during a trip with Biden. “The president believes this is an important relationship that we need to continue and build on.”

Modi had a warm relationship with Biden’s immediate predecessor as president, Republican Donald Trump.

In 2020, weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic forced much of the world into lockdown, Trump made a two-day visit to India that included a raucous rally at a 110,000-seat cricket stadium. Trump had hosted Modi in the U.S. in 2019, a visit that included a side trip to Houston that drew about 50,000 people, many from the large Indian diaspora in the U.S.

Biden last hosted Modi at the White House in September 2021 for a meeting of leaders of the Quad. India also holds the rotating president of the Group of 20 nations and Biden is expected to attend that summit in New Delhi later this year.

Modi is the third foreign leader whom Biden has invited on an official state visit, which includes an expansive arrival ceremony with pomp and pageantry on the White House lawn and a ritzy state dinner with scores of guests from the worlds of politics, business and entertainment. French President Emmanuel Macron visited late last year, followed by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April.

The last time India was so honored was nearly 15 years ago, under then-President Barack Obama in 2009.

This story has been corrected to reflect that Modi’s upcoming visit is not his first to the Biden White House; Modi visited Biden in 2021.

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From India with Love: When Queen rode an elephant in Varanasi, showed Modi a gift from Mahatma Gandhi

Queen Elizabeth II’s first trip to India was in 1961 and she touched a chord. When she visited the Gandhi memorial, she took off her sandals to keep with Indian tradition. In 2015, she invited Narendra Modi for lunch at Buckingham Palace

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II was the world’s most-travelled monarch. In her 70 years on the throne, she visited 140 countries, spending almost four years on state visits.

During her travails and the course of her life, she had many encounters with Indian greats. The Queen visited the country not once but thrice, meeting prime ministers and presidents, visiting monuments, and touching many a heart.

Also read: Queen Elizabeth II death live updates

In the event of her death on Thursday, we take a short trip down memory lane.

When Queen removed sandals before visiting Raj Ghat

In 1952, Elizabeth II was the first monarch to ascend to the throne after India fought the British and became independent. She made her first visit to the country nine years after becoming queen in 1961 with her husband Prince Phillip , Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen was the first British monarch to visit India in 50 years. Her grandfather King George V and Queen Mary had visited in 1911, decades before India got Independence.

Elizabeth II and her husband were received at Delhi airport by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, President Rajendra Prasad, and Vice President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan The couple were Guests of Honour at the Republic Day Parade at the invitation of Dr Prasad.

Nehru also hosted an event at Ramlila Maidan to welcome the Queen, where she gave a speech thanking India for the warm welcome. An enduring image from the tour, shows the Queen addressing a massive crowd of several thousand people packed into Ramlila Grounds, dressed in a fur coat and hat.

Also read: Will the Kohinoor go to Camilla? Examining the murky history and fate of world’s most famous diamond

During the event, the Delhi Corporation gifted the queen a two-feet long model of the Qutub Minar made of elephant tusk. The Duke received a silver candelabra, reports India Today . In Delhi, she inaugurated the institute buildings of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on 27 January, where she planted a sapling on the premises.

The royal couple visited Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial Raj Ghat in the Capital and the Queen, keeping with the Indian tradition, took off her sandals; her husband did the same. She also wrote a tribute in the visitor’s book. It is said that it’s rare for her to write anything other than her signature. Interestingly, Gandhi had personally woven a shawl as a gift to the Queen (then a princess) for her wedding. Adventures in India

The British royals’ next stop was the Taj Mahal in Agra to which they drove in an open car, waving to hundreds who gathered on the roads to get a glimpse of the monarch. They then visited Udaipur, where they got a royal welcome from the Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar and in Jaipur, they were invited to a hunting day by the maharaja and Philip reportedly killed a tiger. In Varanasi, she took an elephant ride in a royal procession, enjoying the hospitality of the erstwhile Maharaja of Benares.

The Queen and Prince Philip toured Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata — then Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta, reports news agency PTI .

Meeting Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa

The Queen’s next visit to India came two decades later in 1983. She visited the country at the invitation of then-President Giani Zail Singh. This time, the royal couple stayed at the refurbished wing of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

During this visit, the monarch met the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She also Mother Teresa and presented her with the honorary Order of the Merit, a British award for eminent service. The order is limited to only 24 members, although the British monarch can appoint foreigners as “honorary members”.

Visiting Jallianwala Bagh, Golden Temple

The Queen’s last visit to India came in 1997, as India marked 50 years of Independence. It was significant in more ways than one, as she referred to “difficult episodes” of colonial history.

“It is no secret that there have been some difficult episodes in our past. Jallianwala Bagh is a distressing example,” the monarch noted in her banquet address.

The royal couple later paid a visit to the scene of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar and placed a wreath at the memorial, amid widespread calls for an apology for the thousands killed at the orders of British General Reginald Dyer during the Raj. She also visited the Golden Temple, where she was presented with a replica of the holy site.

#WATCH | Queen Elizabeth II visited Golden Temple in Punjab's Amritsar, back in the year 1997 (File footage) pic.twitter.com/wGgYUW5dI5 — ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2022

In Delhi, she met with then President KR Narayanan and his wife Usha Narayanan, and then Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral and his wife Sheela Gujral. She also visited St Thomas school in the Capital.

Hosting India’s presidents

Over the years, the sovereign has hosted three Indian presidents – Dr Radhakrishnan in 1963, R Venkataraman in 1990, and Pratibha Patil in 2009, reports PTI .

“Britain and India have a long-shared history which today is a source of great strength in building a new partnership fit for this new century,” the Queen said in her state banquet address for President Patil at Buckingham Palace.

“Nearly two million of our own citizens are tied by descent and enduring family links to India. They represent one of the United Kingdom’s most dynamic and successful communities… relations between our two countries are built on strong and deep foundations, and are set fair for the 21st century,” she added.

Meeting Manmohan Singh and Modi

In the two last decades, the Queen met former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi several times.

In April 2009, the Queen met Dr Manmohan Singh during a reception hosted for G20 leaders at Buckingham Palace in London.

She met Modi during his visits to the United Kingdom in 2015 and 2018. In 2015, the PM was invited to lunch at Buckingham Palace in London. Her Royal Highness gave him a tour of the palace and showcased the royal art and artefact collection.

I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture. pic.twitter.com/3aACbxhLgC — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2022

The second meeting between the duo took place in April 2018 when PM Modi was on a four-day visit to the UK. He met Elizabeth II ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which saw a gathering of 53 heads of government. This meeting again culminated in a royal dinner gala which was hosted by the Queen for the world leaders.

In a tribute to the Queen after her death, PM recalled the time she had shown him a gift from Mahatma Gandhi. “I will never forget her warmth and kindness. I will always cherish that gesture,” he wrote on Twitter.

With inputs from agencies

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