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India PM Narendra Modi set to begin key US visit Narendra Modi begins first visit to US as PM of India
(1 day 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. Indian PM Narendra Modi, long denied a US visa over religious riots in 2002, has begun an official visit at President Barack Obama's invitation.
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. His trip, which began in New York, is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and courting US investment.
The visit is seen as a personal triumph for Mr Modi who was long denied a US visa over the 2002 Gujarat riots. He is due to address the UN General Assembly before heading to Washington for his first meeting with Mr Obama.
But it comes as a US court issued a summons against him over the riots. The visit is seen as a personal triumph for Mr Modi, who faced a last-minute legal challenge.
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 a 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.
Correspondents say the summons appears to be largely symbolic and is unlikely to bring any serious legal consequences.
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 tiesMending ties
Mr Modi began his visit to New York with a visit to the 9/11 Memorial where he laid yellow roses to commemorate Indians killed in the attacks.
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. And after his landslide win, Mr Obama called Mr Modi and invited him for a visit.