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India PM Narendra Modi set to begin key US visit | India PM Narendra Modi set to begin key US visit |
(35 minutes later) | |
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin an official visit to the US to boost bilateral trade and court the investment of US firms. | India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin an official visit to the US to boost bilateral trade and court the investment of US firms. |
He arrives in New York where he will address the UN General Assembly, before heading to Washington for his first meeting with President Barack Obama. | He arrives in New York where he will address the UN General Assembly, before heading to Washington for his first meeting with President Barack Obama. |
The visit is seen as a personal triumph for Mr Modi who was long denied a US visa over the 2002 Gujarat riots. | The visit is seen as a personal triumph for Mr Modi who was long denied a US visa over the 2002 Gujarat riots. |
But it comes as a US court issued a summons against him over the riots. | But it comes as a US court issued a summons against him over the riots. |
A New York district court issued the summons in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Justice Centre, a non-profit human rights organisation as well as two survivors of the riots. Mr Modi has 21 days to respond. | A New York district court issued the summons in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Justice Centre, a non-profit human rights organisation as well as two survivors of the riots. Mr Modi has 21 days to respond. |
Mr Modi, who was the Gujarat chief minister at the time of the deadly riots, has always denied any wrongdoing and has been cleared by Indian courts. | Mr Modi, who was the Gujarat chief minister at the time of the deadly riots, has always denied any wrongdoing and has been cleared by Indian courts. |
He took over as India's prime minister after leading his Bharatiya Janata Party to a spectacular win in the summer's general election. | He took over as India's prime minister after leading his Bharatiya Janata Party to a spectacular win in the summer's general election. |
Mending ties | Mending ties |
Delhi and Washington have strong security and trade ties, but relations have deteriorated in recent months. | Delhi and Washington have strong security and trade ties, but relations have deteriorated in recent months. |
India's refusal to sign a global trade deal, a row over alleged American surveillance on the governing BJP and a diplomatic spat involving an Indian envoy soured ties. | India's refusal to sign a global trade deal, a row over alleged American surveillance on the governing BJP and a diplomatic spat involving an Indian envoy soured ties. |
Mr Modi's visit is expected to go a long way in mending these strained relations. | Mr Modi's visit is expected to go a long way in mending these strained relations. |
Trade and business are expected to top the agenda of the visit which comes a day after Mr Modi unveiled his new 'Make in India' campaign, aiming to turn the country into a global manufacturing hub. | Trade and business are expected to top the agenda of the visit which comes a day after Mr Modi unveiled his new 'Make in India' campaign, aiming to turn the country into a global manufacturing hub. |
During his four-day visit, he is expected to meet top leaders of Fortune 500 companies, including Google, IBM, GE and Boeing. | During his four-day visit, he is expected to meet top leaders of Fortune 500 companies, including Google, IBM, GE and Boeing. |
At his talks with President Obama, he is expected to discuss issues "to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership". | At his talks with President Obama, he is expected to discuss issues "to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership". |
The highlight of the visit though is expected to be his sold-out appearance at Madison Square Garden where he will address an audience of more than 20,000 people. | The highlight of the visit though is expected to be his sold-out appearance at Madison Square Garden where he will address an audience of more than 20,000 people. |
The event is organised by prominent members of the Indian diaspora in the US and Mr Modi's speech from a rotating stage will be beamed live with English subtitles to giant TV screens at Times Square in central New York. | The event is organised by prominent members of the Indian diaspora in the US and Mr Modi's speech from a rotating stage will be beamed live with English subtitles to giant TV screens at Times Square in central New York. |
The visit is the first made by Mr Modi to the US since a decision was made to ban him in 2005 over the Gujarat riots in which around 1,000 people were killed, the majority of them Muslims. | The visit is the first made by Mr Modi to the US since a decision was made to ban him in 2005 over the Gujarat riots in which around 1,000 people were killed, the majority of them Muslims. |
The US was the last major Western country to end the unofficial boycott of him in the run-up to the general election when it became clear that he was leading the race. | The US was the last major Western country to end the unofficial boycott of him in the run-up to the general election when it became clear that he was leading the race. |
And after his landslide win, Mr Obama called Mr Modi and invited him for a visit. Analysts say that the invitation was significant considering the US's troubled history with Mr Modi. |