AMN / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a seven-day visit to the United States tonight. He is scheduled to visit Houston and New York to attend the High-Level Segment of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement, before departure from New Delhi Mr Modi said, in Houston, he will interact with Chief Executives Officers of leading energy companies in the US with the aim to enhance India-US energy partnership.
The Prime Minister said, he is looking forward to meeting the Indian-American community. He added that their success in diverse fields, their contribution to the US in various walks of life, their strong bonds with India and their role as a living bridge between the two democracies is a source of pride.
He said, it is a matter of great honour for the Indian diaspora that US President Donald Trump will grace the occasion with his presence and join him in addressing the community.
Mr Modi said, this would be a maiden appearance of US President in an Indian community event with him and marks a new milestone in India’s outreach to them.
The Prime Minister said, he will participate in various major events in the United Nations.
This year, the UN General Assembly has the theme Galvanizing multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion.
Mr Modi said, there are many pressing challenges for the international community which require stronger global commitment and concerted multilateral action. He reiterated India’s commitment to reformed multilateralism, which is responsive, effective and inclusive.
Mr Modi said that through his participation in UN events, he will showcase India’s success in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Prime Minister said that he is looking forward to sharing India’s achievements in providing health care for the needy through many initiatives, including the Ayushman Bharat Programme at the UN event on Universal Health Coverage.
He said, India will also host at the UN an event to celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Mr Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders from other countries and UN entities on the margins of the UNGA. For the first time, India will hold leadership-level interactions with the leaders of the Pacific Island States and leaders of the CARICOM group on the margins of UNGA. This will take forward India’s vibrant South-South cooperation and partnership with them.
The Prime Minister said, the US is a vital partner for India’s national development. He added that shared values, convergent interests and complementary strengths provide the foundation for the natural partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies. He said that working together, both countries can contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, secure, sustainable and prosperous world.
The Prime Minister said, he looks forward to addressing the opening plenary of the Bloomberg Global Business Forum and inviting American business leaders to participate more actively in India’s economic growth and transformation. He said, he is honoured by the decision of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to confer upon him the Global Goalkeepers Goals Award 2019.