PM Modi to address Indian Americans, top CEOs on June 23 ahead of Egypt visit
3 min read 09 Jun 2023, 02:26 PM ISTPM Modi will address Indian Americans in Washington on June 23 on the role of the diaspora in India's growth story. He will also address US business leaders before leaving for his official visit to Egypt. Modi's visit to Egypt is set to be alongside his trip to the US.
PremiumPrime Minister Narendra Modi will address a gathering of Indian Americans from across the US in Washington on June 23 on the role of diaspora in India’s growth story, an eminent community leader has said. Apart from this, the Prime Minister will also be addressing the top US business leaders before leaving for his official visit to Egypt, Hindustan Times has reported.
Earlier on 7 June, diplomatic sources told PTI that PM Modi is likely to visit Egypt this month, around six months after the two countries elevated their ties to the level of strategic partnership. This would be Modi's first visit to the African nation after he became prime minister in 2014. However, the official dates of his visit are not announced. Sources added that said Modi's visit to Egypt is set to be alongside his trip to the US. Egypt has been traditionally one of India's most important trading partners in the African continent.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will be in the US from 21-24 June after an invitation sent from of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The US president and the First Lady will host Modi at a state dinner on June 22. The visit also includes an address to the Joint Session of the Congress on June 22.
Indian American community leader Dr. Bharat Barai told PTI that PM will also address an invitation-only gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country on the evening of June 23. The prestigious Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, which has hosted several high-profile meetings in the past, has been reserved for the prime minister's address. The venue, named after former US President Ronald Reagan, has a capacity of 900 people, Barai told PTI on Wednesday.
It is the first federal building in Washington designed for both governmental and private sector purposes. Preparations are in full swing for the only community event to be held during the visit of the prime minister. A national organising committee of 25 eminent people has been constituted, he said.
The event would be hosted by US India Community Foundation. A co-host committee has also been set up. The community has been given wide representation in both committees, Barai said.
He said earlier the plans were to host Modi at a giant stadium in Chicago for him to address 40,000 Indian Americans, however, because of the scheduling issues, it could not be finalised. The prime minister finally gave his consent to address the community on the evening of June 23, soon after which he is likely to leave the US for India, he said.
Meanwhile, two US lawmakers spoke in the US House of Representatives this week about the significance of Modi's visit to the US.
“I take this opportunity to address a very important visit by Prime Minister Modi this week. I am excited that this person is coming to America to extend goodwill between our two nations in one of the most strategically important relationships we have in the world," Congressman Rich McCormick said on Tuesday.
Congressman Joe Wilson from North Carolina said the existing US-India partnership has been highlighted by Modi being warmly welcomed here in the House Chamber, Madison Square Garden, and ‘Howdy, Modi’ in Houston.
“With India as the largest democracy and America as the oldest democracy, both have shared values of democracy with rule of law opposing authoritarians with the rule of the gun," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)