Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday for a series of diplomatic meetings including the Quad Summit and the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The Indian leader was greeted by Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Indian Ambassador to the United States, in addition to multiple senior officials of the administration of President Joe Biden.
A large number of Indian Americans were present at the Andrews Joint Base in Washington DC to welcome PM Modi on Wednesday evening, PTI reported.
PM Modi, who is visiting the US for the 7th time after assuming office in 2014, said his visit would be an occasion to strengthen the Indo-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and consolidate ties with Japan and Australia.
US President Joe Biden will host the Indian Prime Minister at the White House for their first in-person bilateral conversation on September 24. Later on that day, Biden will host the first-ever in-person Quad Summit with country representatives and leaders from Australia, India and Japan.
PM Modi and Biden last spoke on April 26 this year. The two have maintained virtual contact since January this year, when Biden took office.
Vice President Harris will meet Prime Minister Modi on September 23. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders. Harris had earlier spoken with Modi over the phone in June during the COVID-19 crisis.
“During my visit, I will review the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with President Biden and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” PM Modi said just before leaving for the US.
“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,” said Modi, who is visiting the US at the invitation of President Biden.
