This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/28/narendra-modi-india-new-york-prime-minister

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US turns on charm as Narendra Modi roadshow rolls into New York Narendra Modi : US turns on charm as roadshow rolls into New York
(about 14 hours later)
No expense had been spared by the organisers of the $1.5m event. The stage of New York’s Madison Square Garden was filled with dancers in traditional dress, while a laser show and holograms of historical Indian figures lit up the backdrop. Shots of rising skyscrapers, microchip factories and Asia’s largest solar-energy plant were framed by balloons in the colours of the Indian and US flags.No expense had been spared by the organisers of the $1.5m event. The stage of New York’s Madison Square Garden was filled with dancers in traditional dress, while a laser show and holograms of historical Indian figures lit up the backdrop. Shots of rising skyscrapers, microchip factories and Asia’s largest solar-energy plant were framed by balloons in the colours of the Indian and US flags.
When Narendra Modi, the new prime minister of India, took to the stage on Sunday night, he told the wildly enthusiastic audience that the 21st century would belong to Asia, and possibly to his own nation. “Some say, this is India’s century. India has the potential … The time has come. India is the world’s youngest country and its most ancient culture. [It] has something that other countries in the world don’t,” Modi told the sellout crowd of 20,000 at an event which many see as the highlight of the 64-year-old politician’s five-day US visit.When Narendra Modi, the new prime minister of India, took to the stage on Sunday night, he told the wildly enthusiastic audience that the 21st century would belong to Asia, and possibly to his own nation. “Some say, this is India’s century. India has the potential … The time has come. India is the world’s youngest country and its most ancient culture. [It] has something that other countries in the world don’t,” Modi told the sellout crowd of 20,000 at an event which many see as the highlight of the 64-year-old politician’s five-day US visit.
Speaking in Hindi, and using some phrases familiar from this year’s long election campaign, Modi spoke of his ambitions for India, where economic growth has flagged in recent years.Speaking in Hindi, and using some phrases familiar from this year’s long election campaign, Modi spoke of his ambitions for India, where economic growth has flagged in recent years.
The organisers, the Indian American Community Foundation, had seized the opportunity to showcase the Indian-American community. There are 2.8 million Indian Americans, forming one of the wealthiest and best-educated diaspora communities in the US. Many became involved in Modi’s election campaign.The organisers, the Indian American Community Foundation, had seized the opportunity to showcase the Indian-American community. There are 2.8 million Indian Americans, forming one of the wealthiest and best-educated diaspora communities in the US. Many became involved in Modi’s election campaign.
Performers included the aspiring pop singer Anjali Ranadive, while Nina Davuluri, who became the first Indian American to win the Miss America competition in 2013, was a host.Performers included the aspiring pop singer Anjali Ranadive, while Nina Davuluri, who became the first Indian American to win the Miss America competition in 2013, was a host.
“It means a lot to me to be able to represent Indian Americans. [Modi] is the first of his generation to be the prime minister and so many changes are going to come. It is such a rich culture … Indians are so full of life.,” Ranadive told NDTV, an Indian TV channel.“It means a lot to me to be able to represent Indian Americans. [Modi] is the first of his generation to be the prime minister and so many changes are going to come. It is such a rich culture … Indians are so full of life.,” Ranadive told NDTV, an Indian TV channel.
Modi won a crushing victory in the polls in May, gaining his Bharatiya Janata party the first clear majority in Indian politics for 30 years and raising hopes for wholesale reform in a country still troubled by poor infrastructure, red tape, deep poverty and weak governance. Since then, business confidence and the stock market have surged.Modi won a crushing victory in the polls in May, gaining his Bharatiya Janata party the first clear majority in Indian politics for 30 years and raising hopes for wholesale reform in a country still troubled by poor infrastructure, red tape, deep poverty and weak governance. Since then, business confidence and the stock market have surged.
A former tea seller from a poor family in the western state of Gujarat, Modi entered politics after spending years as an organiser with right wing religious organisations. He has described himself as a Hindu nationalist and a patriot. (http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/07/12/interview-with-bjp-leader-narendra-modi/)A former tea seller from a poor family in the western state of Gujarat, Modi entered politics after spending years as an organiser with right wing religious organisations. He has described himself as a Hindu nationalist and a patriot. (http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/07/12/interview-with-bjp-leader-narendra-modi/)
However he won power campaigning on a development agenda and focused much of his speech last night on the economic potential of India, his desire to reform government and to improve sanitation. Modi appealed directly for the diaspora to help him clean the Ganges, the heavily polluted river sacred to Hindus. Modi received rapturous applause for saying that when people asked him for a “big vision” he replied that he was only a “small man” who started out selling tea.However he won power campaigning on a development agenda and focused much of his speech last night on the economic potential of India, his desire to reform government and to improve sanitation. Modi appealed directly for the diaspora to help him clean the Ganges, the heavily polluted river sacred to Hindus. Modi received rapturous applause for saying that when people asked him for a “big vision” he replied that he was only a “small man” who started out selling tea.
More than 40 US congressmen were present to watch the speech, which was relayed on a giant screen in Times Square. Local authorities had laid on extra public transport for the expected crowds.More than 40 US congressmen were present to watch the speech, which was relayed on a giant screen in Times Square. Local authorities had laid on extra public transport for the expected crowds.
Earlier in the day Modi appeared at the Global Citizen festival in Central Park, attended by an estimated 60,000 people.Earlier in the day Modi appeared at the Global Citizen festival in Central Park, attended by an estimated 60,000 people.
He said his hope was that India’s 800 million young people could transform the nation. “To put the light of hope in every eye. And the joy of belief in every heart. Lift people out of poverty. Put clean water and sanitation within the reach of all. Make healthcare available to all. A roof over every head,” he said.He said his hope was that India’s 800 million young people could transform the nation. “To put the light of hope in every eye. And the joy of belief in every heart. Lift people out of poverty. Put clean water and sanitation within the reach of all. Make healthcare available to all. A roof over every head,” he said.
Last week India became the first nation to put a satellite into the orbit of Mars on its first attempt, and the first Asian nation to do so at all.Last week India became the first nation to put a satellite into the orbit of Mars on its first attempt, and the first Asian nation to do so at all.
But not all were won over by Modi’s Madison Square event. Vinod Mehta, a well-known Indian commentator, described it as “over the top”.But not all were won over by Modi’s Madison Square event. Vinod Mehta, a well-known Indian commentator, described it as “over the top”.
“He has only been in power for 100 days. There is a personality cult that is being built up and the fervour is quite frightening,” Mehta said.“He has only been in power for 100 days. There is a personality cult that is being built up and the fervour is quite frightening,” Mehta said.
Amit Kumar, 31, a taxi driver in south Delhi, watched much of the speech in a tea stall near Nizamuddin station and disagreed.Amit Kumar, 31, a taxi driver in south Delhi, watched much of the speech in a tea stall near Nizamuddin station and disagreed.
“He is a very strong man. There they are showing much respect for India. That is his achievement.”“He is a very strong man. There they are showing much respect for India. That is his achievement.”
On Monday Modi will head to Washington for meetings with the heads of 17 multinationals, including Google, Boeing, IBM, PepsiCo and MasterCard, and a private dinner with Barack Obama. This will be a frugal meal as Modi will be fasting for the annual Hindu religious festival of Navratri.On Monday Modi will head to Washington for meetings with the heads of 17 multinationals, including Google, Boeing, IBM, PepsiCo and MasterCard, and a private dinner with Barack Obama. This will be a frugal meal as Modi will be fasting for the annual Hindu religious festival of Navratri.
In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal this weekend Modi described the US as India’s “natural partner”.In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal this weekend Modi described the US as India’s “natural partner”.
But relations have been rocky. In 2005 Modi was denied a visa to the US under a 1998 law barring entry to foreigners who have committed “particularly severe violations of religious freedom”.But relations have been rocky. In 2005 Modi was denied a visa to the US under a 1998 law barring entry to foreigners who have committed “particularly severe violations of religious freedom”.
The decision followed accusations that he had stood by during, or even encouraged, sectarian violence in Gujarat in 2002, when he was chief minister. More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed by rioters.The decision followed accusations that he had stood by during, or even encouraged, sectarian violence in Gujarat in 2002, when he was chief minister. More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed by rioters.
Modi has denied all wrongdoing and India’s supreme court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to back the charges against him.Modi has denied all wrongdoing and India’s supreme court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to back the charges against him.
On Sunday night he made an oblique, jocular reference to the affair, saying he understood when fellow Indians complained of problems obtaining a visa.On Sunday night he made an oblique, jocular reference to the affair, saying he understood when fellow Indians complained of problems obtaining a visa.
The UK ended its boycott of Modi in 2012. The EU swiftly followed, with the US ambassador only meeting the prime ministerial candidate for the first time earlier this year.The UK ended its boycott of Modi in 2012. The EU swiftly followed, with the US ambassador only meeting the prime ministerial candidate for the first time earlier this year.
On the eve of Modi’s visit, an activist group in the US filed a lawsuit on behalf of three survivors of the violence that accuses the Indian leader of attempted genocide, and there were small protests outside the venue last night.On the eve of Modi’s visit, an activist group in the US filed a lawsuit on behalf of three survivors of the violence that accuses the Indian leader of attempted genocide, and there were small protests outside the venue last night.
After an improvement a decade ago, and a controversial nuclear deal, relations between Delhi and Washington hit a low last year when the Indian deputy consul general in the US was arrested on suspicion of visa fraud in New York, strip-searched and held in police custody. The affair prompted a vitriolic reaction in India to what was seen as disrespectful bullying, leading to accusations in the US of oversensitivity and behaviour unbecoming of an aspirant future power.After an improvement a decade ago, and a controversial nuclear deal, relations between Delhi and Washington hit a low last year when the Indian deputy consul general in the US was arrested on suspicion of visa fraud in New York, strip-searched and held in police custody. The affair prompted a vitriolic reaction in India to what was seen as disrespectful bullying, leading to accusations in the US of oversensitivity and behaviour unbecoming of an aspirant future power.
Since then Washington has mounted a charm offensive, said Michael Kugelman, a south Asia expert at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre in Washington.Since then Washington has mounted a charm offensive, said Michael Kugelman, a south Asia expert at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre in Washington.
“For Washington, and for Obama specifically, it’s really about simply getting to know someone they don’t know much about. The relationship has hit rock bottom so the only way is up. Everyone is looking for some good news out of this,” Kugelman said last week.“For Washington, and for Obama specifically, it’s really about simply getting to know someone they don’t know much about. The relationship has hit rock bottom so the only way is up. Everyone is looking for some good news out of this,” Kugelman said last week.