New Delhi: As has become the norm on his foreign visits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora on arrival in the US on Saturday for a three-day visit.
Once the Air India One landed at the Philadelphia International Airport in the morning (local time), he was welcomed by a large number of people from the Indian community.
After the formal handshakes with US officials, Modi interacted with Indian community comprising of all ages.
They had brought drawings and pictures which Modi took interest in. One of the drawings, by a young boy, depicted Digital India 2024, UPI and Smart Cities.
#WATCH | Philadelphia, US | PM Narendra Modi interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora outside Philadelphia airport pic.twitter.com/wahJYVZ5PS
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024
Modi then travelled to US President Joe Biden’s hometown Delaware, where he will be staying on the first day at Hotel duPont.
US: PM Modi arrives at Hotel duPont in Wilmington ahead of Quad Leaders’ Summit
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/QeKxjpsqQw#PMModi #duPont #QuadLeadersSummit #US pic.twitter.com/mG3q5irHJf
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) September 21, 2024
At the hotel, he was welcomed with a music and dance show, with a group of colourfully dressed women performing the Garba dance.
#WATCH | Delaware, US: The Indian Diaspora members who performed traditional ‘Garba’ while welcoming PM Modi sing the folk song ‘Dholida’ pic.twitter.com/ManAAbCxO7
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024
After meeting and greeting people from Indian community, Modi said it was “always a delight” to interact with them. He also said he was excitedly looking forward to an Indian community event scheduled for Sunday.
“I don’t think there is any other politician like him who has given his life and has made sure that India is respected and loved. He has brought it to the forefront of the world. I am blessed to welcome him to Delaware,” said a member of Indian community at Hotel duPont.
Modi will attend the annual Quad summit, in Wilmington, Delaware, and address a high-profile conclave at the United Nations in New York.
He will hold bilateral meetings with Biden and other world leaders, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and addressing global challenges like the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts.
“The Indian community has distinguished itself in the USA, making a positive impact across diverse sectors. It’s always a delight to interact with them. At around 9.30 PM India time on Sunday, 22nd September, I will address the Modi and US programme in New York City. Let’s celebrate the bonds that connect our nations!”
Modi will also participate in a roundtable with CEOs of leading American tech firms specialising in Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and semiconductors, as well as join an Indian diaspora event in Long Island, New York.
Ahead of his visit, Modi expressed his enthusiasm to engage with leaders of the Quad, including President Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, to further the group’s mission of fostering peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Following the summit in Wilmington, PM Modi will head to New York to participate in the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly and deliver a speech on global peace and development.