New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States on Saturday for a three-day visit, where he will participate in the Quad summit and hold important bilateral meetings. Among the key meetings scheduled, PM Modi has already sat down for talks with US President Joe Biden at the President’s private residence in Wilmington, Delaware.
The Quad, comprising India, the US, Australia, and Japan, will be the focus of discussions, with the summit set to address critical issues in the Indo-Pacific region. However, the meeting between PM Modi and President Biden will also cover other significant global topics. According to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the two leaders will discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and China’s activities in the region.
In the personal meeting held at Biden’s Greenville residence, top-level officials from both the US and Indian delegations were present. Representing the US were Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NSA Jake Sullivan, and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti. From the Indian side, Foreign Secretary Dr. S. Jaishankar, US Ambassador to India Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were part of the delegation.
PM Modi’s US visit has drawn considerable attention, with the Indian diaspora enthusiastically welcoming him at various events. Upon his arrival at Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, members of the Indian community performed traditional ‘Garba’ dances and raised slogans in support of both India and the Prime Minister.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi acknowledged the impact the Indian community has had in the US, stating, “The Indian community has made a significant contribution in America, positively impacting many areas. It is always a pleasure to interact with them.” He added that he would address an event in New York City on Sunday, calling for a celebration of the close ties between India and the US.
As part of his visit, PM Modi also took time to meet and interact with members of the Indian community in Philadelphia, where he was seen giving autographs and greeting people who had gathered in large numbers along the roadside.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden tweeted his excitement about welcoming the Quad leaders, stating, “Today, I will welcome Prime Minister Albanese, Modi, and Kishida to my home in Delaware. These leaders are essential to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and they are also my friends.”
Looking ahead, Modi’s itinerary includes participating in an Indian expatriate community event on Long Island and attending a roundtable discussion with CEOs of US companies working on cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing and semiconductors.
Before departing for the US, PM Modi expressed his anticipation for the Quad Summit, where he will be joining his counterparts: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, alongside President Biden. The discussions are expected to revolve around regional stability and future cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
PM Modi’s visit to the US, particularly his bilateral talks with Biden, is being closely watched as it could have significant implications for both regional and global geopolitical strategies.