CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today, embarked on his three-day visit to the United States. It will be his first visit to the US in his third term as the prime minister, and it will begin with the Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware.
Before leaving for the US, PM Modi said that the Quad has emerged as a key group of like-minded nations to work for peace, progress, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. “I look forward to joining my colleagues President Biden, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Kishida for the Quad Summit,” he said in a departure statement.
Quad Leaders’ Summit. The leaders will review the Quad group’s progress over the past year and set the agenda for the year ahead, to help the nations in the Indo-Pacific region meet their development goals. The leaders are also expected to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the escalating tensions in West Asia. They will also launch the Cancer Moonshot, a special initiative to prevent, detect, and treat cancer in the Indo-Pacific region.
Bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. The meeting is expected to allow both the countries to review and identify new ways to further strengthen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. India and the US are also likely to ink agreements regarding the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, and an MoU on an India-US drug framework.
Community event. On September 22, PM Modi will travel to New York where he will address the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Colliseum in Uniondale.
Business Roundtable. He will interact with CEOs of leading US companies in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology.
‘Summit of the Future’. On September 23, PM Modi will attend the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The theme of the Summit is ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.’ External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will deliver India’s national statement during the UNGA General Debate.
Will PM Modi meet Donald Trump?
Earlier this week, at a town hall meeting in Flint, Michigan, former US president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, while calling Modi a “fantastic man”, had said that the Indian PM will meet him during his visit to the US.
The MEA, however, was non-committal when asked about it. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also did not confirm whether Modi will meet US Vice-President and current Democratic Party presidential candidate Kamala Harris. “We are trying to schedule many meetings with the prime minister. I will not be able