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Narendra Modi begins first visit to US as PM of India | |
(1 day later) | |
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. | |
His trip, which began in New York, is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and courting US investment. | |
He is due to address the UN General Assembly before heading to Washington for his first meeting with Mr Obama. | |
The visit is seen as a personal triumph for Mr Modi, who faced a last-minute legal challenge. | |
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 ties | Mending 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. | |
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. |