Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his last day of the maiden State visit addressed the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in Washington DC. Modi began his address by stating that the India-US ties have the potential to change the destiny of the 21st century. Calling Indian-Americans ‘pillars’ in the development of America, he said, “All of you have made America reach great heights with your hard work.”
The USISPF is being held at the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
He will conclude the visit with a mega diaspora event organised at the Ronald Raegan Centre in Washington DC, with attendance from Indian-origin doctors, lawyers, hoteliers and businessmen.
He further said that the India-US partnership is not based on convenience, but that of conviction and compassion. Modi also attributed ‘India’s tremendous success’ to aspirations of people of the country. Encouraging American entrepreneurs to invest in India, he said, “Ease of doing business is a promise of our government. Whenever India has grown stronger, the whole world has benefitted.”
This will be followed by invitation-only gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center which will focus on their role in “India’s growth story”.
“More than 600 people will be sitting here to attend the program and around 350 people will witness PM Modi’s speech on the big screen,” said Dr Bharat Barai, Chairman US-India Community Foundation.
“We didn’t send a single email or even make a flyer. And the registration was complete within three to four days…through word-of-mouth alone,” said Barai.
“We found the Ronald Regan Building, which we thought was beautiful, but we have to make all the arrangements with the approval of the US Secret Service as well as the Prime Minister SPG group,” said Barai. “At the end there will be a dinner for everybody,” he added.
