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On 21 June, Prime Minister Modi will lead celebrations on International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters in New York. The PM will also pay respects to a bust of Mahatma Gandhi that is present on the North Lawns of the UN Headquarters.
The PM will leave for Washington DC the same day.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will reportedly host an intimate private dinner with PM Modi the same day.
Prime Minister Modi met noted economist and Nobel laureate, Professor Paul Romer.
"We had extensive conversations on leveraging technology to improve lives. We also talked about how to make our cities more sustainable and people friendly," he tweeted.
PM Modi met author and investor Ray Dalio.
"Urged him to deepen investments in India and also talked about the reform trajectory of our Government," PM Modi tweeted after the meet.
PM Modi met Buddhist author and academic Robert Thruman.
"I admire his passion towards research and scholarship on aspects relating to Buddhism. I highlighted India’s Buddhist heritage and how Buddhism can help overcome many challenges our world faces," PM Modi tweeted.
PM Modi met renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
"Talked space, science and related issues with @neiltyson. Highlighted steps India is taking to reform the space sector and draw more youngsters towards science as well as innovation," PM Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the founder, CEO, and chief engineer of SpaceX and Twitter owner Elon Musk, as the former kicked off his maiden three-day State visit to the United States.
Following the meeting, Musk told reporters that he is a "fan of Modi."
"It was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister and I like him quite a lot. He visited our factory a few years ago. So, we have known each other for a while. I am incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world."
Prime Minsiter Modi interacted with a group of academics in New York.
"They shared their views on how to further strengthen the education sector in India with a focus on skills and innovation. I talked about the transformative potential of our National Education Policy," he tweeted after the meet.
PM Modi held a discussion with a group of healthcare experts in New York.
"They shared their rich perspectives on ways to augment healthcare capacities in India. I told them about the work we have done in integrating latest technology in the sector and our efforts like TB elimination," he said.
Thousands of Indian Americans in their summer finery are expected at the White House ceremony. Indian Americans are showing their invitations on social media, bragging about the rare opportunity, and generally joining the excitement that has built to a fever pitch. A total of 125,000 have registered with the White House for the morning ceremony to attend but it is unclear how many will actually get in. The ceremony is expected to last about an hour, depending on the mercy of the rain gods.
A state visit is rare and comes with all the bells and whistles, requiring a rarer confluence of geopolitical importance, bilateral stakes, strategic calculations, future expectations, and pure politics. India, under Modi, finds itself in that sweet spot.
Read the full article by Seema Sirohi here.
A professional ballerina, a yoga trainer who focuses on breathwork and meditation, and a faculty at several prestigious universities in the United States – 47-year-old Annelies Richmond dons many hats.
On Wednesday, 21 June – International Yoga Day – she will add yet another feather to her cap by leading the International Yoga Day celebrations from the United Nations Headquarters in New York, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day state visit.
On 21 June, Prime Minister Modi will lead celebrations on International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters in New York. The PM will also pay respects to a bust of Mahatma Gandhi that is present on the North Lawns of the UN Headquarters.
The PM's first key engagement in Washington DC would be focused on "skilling for future, which will try to bring out the key complementarities and objectives that both systems aim to seek and achieve in the field of skilling and capacity building."
It is expected that on 21 June itself, Modi and Biden will hold talks during a private engagement.
Sources told The Quint that President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are to host an intimate private dinner, but officials have not confirmed the same.
Preparations for the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations at of United Nations Headquarters in New York are underway and visuals from the ground showed several hundred yellow yoga mats laid across the the North Lawn of the UN's Headquarters.
On the matter of US bringing up alleged violations of human rights in India, White White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that President Joe Biden expected to bring up the concerns of "democratic backsliding" but he will not "lecture Modi" on the subject.
"People are very excited; they are already chanting. They have been waiting outside since 6 am," Ruchika Lal, Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Art of Living told news agency PTI on PM Modi leading the International Yoga Day celebrations at UN headquarters in New York.
"You can see the vibrations and excitement. Hundreds of people are lining up for International Yoga Day celebrations with PM Modi. Such a great feeling," Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for New York City Mayor's Office for International Affairs told PTI.
With PM Modi set to hold a Yoga session the UN headquarters in New York, senior party leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday remembered India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution in popularising yoga
"On International Day of Yoga, we thank Pt. Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising Yoga & even made it a part of national policy. Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art & philosophy in our physical & mental wellbeing & take steps to incorporate it in our lives," he tweeted.
"Indeed! We should also acknowledge all those who revived & popularised yoga, including our government, @PMOIndia & @MEAIndia for internationalising #InternationalYogaDay through the @UN. As I have argued for decades, yoga is a vital part of our soft power across the world & it's great to see it recognized," he added.
Hollywood actor Richard Gere arrived at the UN Headquarters in New York to take part in the Yoga Day event led by PM Narendra Modi.
"It is a nice feeling to be here," he said while speaking to the media.
Three-time Grammy Award-winning musician Ricky Kej will also participate in Yoga Day event at UN headquarters.
"I am extremely excited to be here. Thousands of people are here. I will be following PM Modi today and will do yoga here. This time it's going to be really huge and amazing," Kej told news agency ANI.
"I am excited for everyone who is participating in the Yoga Day," Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to UN told news agency PTI.
PM Narendra Modi paid tributes to Gandhi statue at the UN headquarters in New York.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the second day of his US visit by leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Addressing the Yoga Day event at the UN headquarters, PM Modi said: "We've gathered here at the meeting point of entire humanity. I am delighted to see you all and thank you all for coming. I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today. Yoga means to unite, so you are coming together is an expression of another form of Yoga."
"Yoga comes from India and it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free from copyrights, patents and free from royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal," he said.
"Let us use the power of Yoga not only to be healthy, happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Let us use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realise the goal of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future,'" PM Modi said.
Yoga Day event at the UN headquarters concluded with PM Narendra Modi taking selfies with the people present at the event.
PM Narendra Modi's Yoga Day event at UN makes it to Guinness World Records for most nationalities present at any yoga event.
"Today there was a Guinness World Records title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today in New York, at the UN, they have 135. It is a new Guinness world records title," Michael Empric, Guinness World Records official adjudicator told news agency ANI.
During the Yoga Day event at the United Nation Headquarters in New York, UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj and New York Mayor Eric Adams greeted and addressed the crowd, welcoming PM Narendra Modi.
Kamboj said:
Following the World Yoga Day event at the United Nation Headquarters in New York, Indian PM Narendra Modi departed for Washington DC, where he is set to participate in a background briefing conducted by Donald Lu, the assistant secretary of the US State Department for South and Central Asia.
He will also host private talks with US President Joe Biden and subsequently take part in a private engagement with the president and first lady.
The Indian Tri-colour and the US national flag were on display alongside each other at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to Washington.
The Eisenhower building houses the executive offices of the American president and vice-president, situated next to the White House's West Wing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Andrews Air Force Base Washington DC's Andrews after setting off from New York.
Modi had led the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
In Washington, Modi is set to participate in a background briefing conducted by Donald Lu, the assistant secretary of the US State Department for South and Central Asia. He will also hold private talks with US President Joe Biden and subsequently take part in a private engagement with the president and first lady.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Washington, the Indian and US national anthems were played at the Joint Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC.
As PM Narendra Modi landed in Washington DC, US Senator Bernie Sanders hit out at the visit and said:
"President Biden should raise these facts in his meeting with Modi," he added.
Previously, more than 60 US lawmakers wrote to Biden and urged him to raise matters of concern like human rights issues and press freedom with PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the members of the Indian diaspora outside Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington DC and as he arrived at the airport.
The US' Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, addressing a press conference, commented on PM Modi's visit and said, "...This visit celebrates the US- India partnership as one of the most important bilateral relationships that we have in the 21st century.
Ahead of PM Modi's official state visit and the dinner at the White House, First Lady Jill Biden organised a side trip for him to Virginia.
During this event, workforce training programs for Modi will be highlighted, demonstrating the importance of such initiatives. '
At the National Science Foundation event, both the first lady and Prime Minister Modi will have the opportunity to interact with students from the United States and India. They will also participate in a moderated conversation, providing a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas.
To prepare the dinner courses, the first lady sought assistance from guest chef Nina Curtis, who specializes in plant-based cooking. Considering Modi's vegetarian preferences, the menu will be tailored accordingly. After dinner, guests will be entertained by renowned violinist Joshua Bell.
Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron Technology, one of the largest semi-conductor companies in the world, interacted with PM Modi during his visit to the National Science Foundation and said, "We are excited to have you (PM Modi) here."
After his arrival in Washington DC, Indian PM Narendra Modi said, "The warmth of the Indian community and the blessings of Indra Devta made the arrival even more special."
Speaking at the National Science Foundation in Virginia, alongside First Lady Jill Biden PM Modi said, "Under Skill India, we have skilled over 50 million people in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, drone and others."
During an interaction with Indian students at the National Science Foundation with PM Modi, First Lady of the United States Jill Biden said, "With this official visit, we are bringing together the world's oldest and largest democracies."
Speaking to reporters, First Lady Jill Biden revealed details regarding the much-anticipated State dinner, hosted by President Biden and the First Lady and said, "Tomorrow night, guest will walk across the South Law into a pavilion draped in rich greens with saffron-coloured flowers at every table – the colours of the Indian flag."
Dishes that will be served during the visit were put on display and the will include Marinated Millet and Grilled Corn Kernel Salad among other dishes.
Biden added that Penn Masala are "bringing a little piece of my hometown to the White House along with songs inspired by the sounds of India."
First Lady Jill Biden revealed details regarding the menu that was set for Indian PM's State dinner and the dishes that will be served during the visit were put on display during a media preview.
Guest Chef Nina Curtis gave further details and said, "We are very excited that India is leading efforts to celebrate the international year of millet. We have incorporated marinated millets into our menu."
Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, following talks with Indian PM Narendra Modi said, I had an excellent meeting with PM Modi. I am very impressed with the vision PM Modi has for India and the advances that India is making.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met United States President Joe Biden at The White House in Washington, DC ahead of an intimate dinner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden enjoyed a special musical tribute featuring youth dancers from Studio Dhoom, an Indian dance studio based in the DMV area. The performance showcased the diverse regional cultures of India, fostering a connection to its vibrant dance traditions.
President Biden gifted Modi a vintage American camera, along with an archival facsimile print of George Eastman's Patent for the first Kodak camera, capturing a pivotal moment in photography history. Additionally, a hardcover book featuring American wildlife photography was included, highlighting the country's natural beauty and biodiversity.
First Lady Jill Biden presented Prime Minister Modi with a signed, first edition copy of 'Collected Poems of Robert Frost,' representing the enduring power of poetry as a form of artistic expression.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi US Visit LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 22 June, met United States President Joe Biden at the White House.
Modi also spoke to First Lady of the United States Jill Biden and several Indian students in Virginia's National Science Foundation after his arrival in Washington DC for the second leg of his visit.
After landing in Washington, the Indian PM was received by expats and the Indian and US national anthems were played at the Joint Andrews Air Force Base in Washington.
First Lady Jill Biden organised a side trip for Modi to Virginia. Typically, the first lady takes the spouse of a visiting leader on an outing, but since Modi was traveling alone, she arranged that the pair the visit to the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia.
At the National Science Foundation event, both the first lady and Prime Minister Modi interacted with students from the United States and India. They also participated in a moderated conversation, providing a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas.
Check out glimpses from Modi's day so far:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets H. Lawrence Culp Jr, Chairman and CEO, General Electic and CEO, General Electic Aerospace.
Meanwhile, on the matter of US bringing up alleged violations of human rights in India, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that President Joe Biden expected to bring up the concerns of "democratic backsliding" but he will not "lecture Modi" on the subject.
Here are the highlights of PM Modi's State visit to the United States so far:
Upon his arrival in the United States for his first State visit, PM Modi held talks with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, investor Ray Dalio, Lebanese-American essayist Nassim Nicholas Taleb, senior World Bank official Paul Romer, and Indian-origin singer Falu Shah.
The World Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York, led by Modi, made it to Guinness World Records for most nationalities present at any yoga event. He subsequently departed for Washington.
After landing in Washington, the Indian PM was received by expats and the Indian and US national anthems were played at the Joint Andrews Air Force Base in Washington
At the National Science Foundation HQ in Alexandria, Virginia, both the first lady and Prime Minister Modi interacted with students from the United States and India.
Modi also met top business leaders including Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO Semiconductor giant Micron, General Electric CEO Lawrence Culp Jr and Applied Materials CEO Gary Dickerson.
As dozens of US lawmakers wrote to President Joe Biden and urged to raise human rights issues with Modi, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that while President Joe Biden is likely to bring up deterioration of democracy in India but he will not lecture Narendra Modi on the subject.
The Indian diaspora has shown up in huge numbers to welcome and greet the Indian PM at his various engagements. Modi has been seen waving to the crowd and shaking hands.
In case you missed it, here are the glimpses of PM Modi's first day in the US:
If you missed Yoga Day celebrations at the UN, watch the full event here:
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