He will arrive in New York on June 20 and lead the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters on June 21. He will then travel to Washington DC on June 22 for the state visit when he will be welcomed by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill. Prime Minister Modi will address a joint session of the US Congress followed by a historic state dinner.
Prominent US lawmakers such as Congressmen Don Bacon, Rich McCormick, Greg Landsman, Gregory Meeks and Troy Carter, besides state governors like Delaware’s John Carney have taken to Twitter to welcome PM Modi.
“I look forward to hearing from Prime Minister @narendramodi during our Joint Meeting of #Congress on his vision for #India…,” tweeted Meeks.
Landsman said India is a key partner in the efforts to strengthen democracy in the US and around the world.
“The largest and oldest democracies will have great opportunity to strengthen our bonds. We share common threats and believe in common values,” tweeted Bacon.
McCormick termed India-US relationship as “one of the most strategically important … in the world”.
Carter said the US and India have an important relationship and that the two countries collaborate in diverse fields like medicine, technology and sustainable growth.
Welcoming Prime Minister Modi to the US, Delaware governor Carney said in a video message that he hopes the Indian leader enjoys his time in Washington DC.
“This visit will serve as another way for India and the United States to strengthen our economic and cultural relationships,” Carney said, recalling his recent visit to India during which he was “struck by the kindness of the people I met there”.
Senator from New Jersey and chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, in a video message said that he joins the “vibrant and important” Indian-American community in his home state in welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Washington DC.
Beginning his message with a “Namaste”, Menendez said the PM’s state visit is a “significant moment” in the US-India relationship.
Recalling the “fond memories” of his visit to India in 2019, the lawmaker said his trip provided a chance for him to meet with Indian civil society leaders, security and government officials as well as engage with India’s history, culture and diverse religious traditions.
Menendez recalled his visit to Akshardham Temple, Jama Masjid and Golden Temple and commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birthday.
“I hope Prime Minister Modi will have the same opportunities to experience all the richness of the United States during his visit,” whether it is the “incredible architecture” of the US Capitol dome or the deep generosity of the American people, Menendez said as he wished the Indian leader well in his visit to Washington.
“From our trade and economic engagement to our security cooperation to our people-to-people ties, the India-US relationship is critically important. We have made considerable strides in recent years, and I hope for even more in the future,” he said.
He underlined that New Jersey’s Indian-American community contributes to the state’s and nation’s economy, culture and security.
“So let us pledge to work even harder to bring our two societies closer together” and to make them both more prosperous in the years and decades to come, he said as he ended his message with “Jai Hind” and “God bless America.”
Members of the Indian-American community have been sending welcome messages for Prime Minister Modi from iconic US locations such as Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Niagara Falls, Princeton University and Hawaii, expressing pride over his “inspiring” leadership.
“Long live India-US friendship!”, “We would like to welcome Prime Minister @narendramodi for this historic State Visit”, “Hello and welcome, Prime Minister of India @narendramodi to this beautiful city”, “India-US ties are a force for global good” and “The Indian-American community is deeply proud of Prime Minister Modi’s inspiring leadership,” some of the messages read.
The Consulate General of India in New York is tweeting the special video messages that members of the diaspora are sending from iconic American landmarks across the country.
Other iconic locations include Columbia University and Columbia Business School in New York; National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio; iconic New York landmarks Brooklyn Bridge and The Edge; Wright Brothers’ Museum in Dayton, Ohio; Liberty Bell in Philadelphia as well as New England.
The Dawoodi Bohras of US also joined the Indian-Americans “in extending a warm welcome” to the prime minister. “Many American Dawoodi Bohras have deep spiritual and familial ties with India, and are proud to contribute to the strong bonds between the two nations,” read a tweet from an official handle of the community.
Deputy secretary-general of the UN, Amina J Mohammed also tweeted she was looking forward to participating in the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations with Prime Minister Modi at the UNHQ North Lawn next week.