WEB DESK /
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today thanked US President Barack Obama for supporting India’s stand on Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
The two leaders held a meeting at the Oval Office in the White House. During the meeting between leaders of the world’s largest and oldest democracies, a range of issues of mutual interest were discussed.
During the joint press statement Prime Minister Modi said that India has made a name for itself as fastest growing economy in the world and the two nations will work together for world’s peace and security.
Prime Minister Modi said that he will meet President Obama again at the G-20 meeting.
Lauding India’s youth prowess, US President Barack Obama said that India is a young country and the US is aware of the talent Indian youth has. He said that we will continue to work together in the future too.
Prime Minister Modi will also address the US Congress on Wednesday at 8.30 PM IST.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Washington DC, United States on early hours of Tuesday for his second bilateral visit to the country.
PM Narendra Modi visited the Arlington National Cemetery to pay respect to the US soldiers and also interacted with Think Tanks.
Visiting the Arlington cemetery has a symbolic significance for Americans. Arlington National Cemetery is the most famous cemetery in the US as it is, a final resting place for some of its greatest heroes. Probing the minds of those who shape foreign policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Think Tanks in Washington
In a friendly gesture, the United States has handed a few sculptures of cultural heritage dating back to the Pratihara period between 7-11th century to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A couple of them were stolen from a temple ruin at Atru in Baran district of Rajasthan.
After laying a wreath at the tomb of unknown soldier, Prime Minister’s also paid his respects at the Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial located in the cemetery. An astronaut of Indian heritage, Kalpana Chawla, was among those lost in the 2003 Columbia tragedy.
Kalpana, who was born at Karnal in Haryana, moved to the US in 1982. She became the first woman of Indian origin in space in 1997 when she first flew on US space shuttle Columbia. Prime Minister also met family members of Kalpana Chawla and another astronaut of Indian descent, Sunita Williams at the memorial and had a brief conversation with her.
Before his departure, PM has tweeted that he will visit space shuttle Columbia memorial and will pay homage to Kalpana Chawla
Earlier, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at joint Andrews Airbase in Washington DC where he was received by the Indian ambassador to US Arun Kumar Singh amid loud cheers and jubilation. Before departing for the Blair house he met the Indian diaspora at the airbase where people greeted him with widespread enthusiasm and slogans of Bharat mata ki jai.
Prime Minister Modi and President Barack Obama, share a special relationship that has greatly enhanced strategic ties between the largest and oldest democracies.
In 2015 the India US strategic dialogue was elevated to Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, reflecting shared priorities of generating economic growth, creating jobs, improving the investment climate, and strengthening the middle class in both countries.
A spectrum of issues from security to defence to economics to climate change will figure prominently during Prime Minister Modi’s 2-day visit to US.
His last meeting with President Obama before he demits office will be one of consolidation. Since their first meeting at the White House in September 2014, after Prime Minister Modi came to power in May that year, the two leaders have met six times.