PM’s visit will take place between September 22-27. During his trip, the Prime Minister is expected to visit both Washington and New York.
This is Modi’s first visit to the US since Biden assumed charge early this year. The two have met virtually on at least three occasions – the Quad summit in March, the climate change summit in April, and the G-7 summit in June this year.
The PM has been accompanied by a high-level delegation including external affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security advisor Ajit Doval.
The main elements of his visit are bilateral meetings with the US leadership, participation in the Quad Leaders’ Summit, address at the UN General Assembly, and business interactions.
Here’s all you need to know about what’s on the agenda-
PM says visit an occasion to strengthen strategic ties
In a statement just before leaving for the US, Modi said he will conclude his visit with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change, and other important issues.
Modi emplaned for the United States this morning with his office tweeting a picture of him just before boarding the plane for the US where he will take part in a wide range of programs.
“I am also looking forward to meeting Vice-President Kamala Harris to explore opportunities for cooperation between our two nations particularly in the area of science and technology,” he said.
Bilateral meeting between Modi and Biden on September 24 in Washington
PM Modi will meet US President Joe Biden in the White House in Washington on September 24. This will be the highlight of his visit to the US.
This would be his first in-person meeting with President Biden since he assumed the presidency in January this year.
At a media briefing on the Prime Minister’s visit to the US, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday said the developments in Afghanistan will be extensively discussed in the bilateral talks between Modi and Biden and the Indian side will convey that Washington needs to continue focus on that country.
What is expected to be the central focus of the first in-person meeting between Modi and Biden-
- The Afghan crisis and its implications
- China’s growing assertiveness
- Ways to stem radicalism and cross-border terrorism
- Expansion of the India-US global partnership
- How to bolster bilateral trade and investment ties
- Strengthen defence and security collaboration
- Boost the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership
- Explore new avenues and emerging technologies, including R&D, innovation and industry linkages
Both leaders have been in regular contact in recent months. It was in November that PM Modi called to congratulate President Biden on his electoral victory. Since then, they have spoken in February and April this year.
PM Modi and Kamala Harris’ meet
PM Modi will also have bilateral engagements with Vice-President Kamala Harris.
This will be the Prime Minister’s first formal interaction with the Vice-President. PM Modi and Vice-President Harris had earlier spoken on the telephone in June this year.
Harris had offered to prioritise India, in making US vaccines available in the wake of the Covid situation at that time in India.
At their meeting at the White House, the Prime Minister and Vice-President Harris are expected to exchange views on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Meeting CEOs of American companies on September 23 in Washington
The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet a number of top executives of major American companies.
According to news agency ANI, Modi will arrive in Washington on September 22 and the next morning he will be meeting with the top US CEOs.
Modi is likely to meet with Apple chief Tim Cook.
First in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit on September 24 in Washington
Modi said he will participate in the first in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit along with President Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Premier Yoshihide Suga.
The Summit provides an opportunity to take stock of the outcomes of the Quad leaders’ Virtual Summit in March this year and identify priorities for future engagements based on our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region, he said.
“I will also meet Prime Minister Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Suga of Japan to take stock of the strong bilateral relations with their respective countries and continue our useful exchanges on regional and global issues,” Modi said.
“My visit to the US would be an occasion to strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the USA, consolidate relations with our strategic partners — Japan and Australia — and to take forward our collaboration on important global issues,” he said in his departure statement.
He will also participate in the Covid-19 Global summit hosted by President Biden.
UNGA address on Covid on September 25 in New York
After concluding his engagements in Washington, Modi will travel to New York on the evening of September 24 and address the 76th session of the UN General Assembly the next day.
In a statement just before leaving for the US, Modi said he will conclude his visit with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues.
Pakistan gives nod for usage of its airspace for PM Modi’s flight
The aircraft carrying PM Modi and the delegation took off from the Indian Air Force (IAF) Technical Airbase in Delhi on Wednesday morning.
PM’s non-stop flight will fly over Pakistan’s airspace to avoid Afghanistan.
First time Air India One (AI1) the call sign of India’s VVIP Boeing aircraft has been deployed for US long haul direct flight. The new Boeing B-777 aircraft Extra Range (ER300) aircraft, which was recently modified for VVIP guests of India is also equipped with advanced defence systems.
The B-777 will take 15 hours of non-stop flight directly to the US. As it is avoiding Afghanistan’s airspace, the flight will fly extra hours for the US trip
Notably, Pakistan had previously denied the permission of President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi to use Pakistan’s airspace thrice to travel to foreign countries in 2019 after India abrogated Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.
(With inputs from agencies)
