PM Modi's US visit: Scheduled events, key agenda to deepen India-US ties in 10 points

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on his first official state visit to the United States today, Tuesday, June 21. He will participate in several events including Yoga Day celebrations at UN headquarters in New York, a state dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, an address to the US Congress, an interaction with the Indian diaspora, etc.

In a tweet, PM Modi informed citizens that he is leaving for the US on Tuesday. “In the USA, I will also get the opportunity to meet business leaders, interact with the Indian community and meet thought leaders from different walks of life. We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology, and other such areas.”

All you need to know about PM Modi's US visit

1) PM Modi will visit the US from 21 to 23 June on an invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. He will become the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Joint Session of the US Congress twice on 22 June.

2) Excitement and euphoria have gripped many Indian Americans ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the US.

3) The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude on Monday for all those people who are sharing their enthusiasm for his State Visit to the United States. He emphasized that such diverse support underlines the depth of the relationship between India and the United States.

4) Around 20 iconic locations in the US and organized unity marches to send a message of welcome for PM Modi who will begin his State Visit to the US from 21 June. 

5) Several thousand Indian Americans are expected to attend the Welcome Ceremony on the South Lawns of the White House on Thursday when President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcome him.

6) It is expected that the five Indian American Congressman – Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, and Shri Thanedar – have been invited to the State Dinner, along with some of the top Indian American CEOs including Satya Nadella from Microsoft, Sunder Pichai from Google, Raj Subramaniam from FedEx.

7) Several significant announcements are expected during this trip with a focus on deeper cooperation in the defense industry and sharing of high technology.

8) According to a Reuters report quoting officials, cooperation in semiconductors, cyberspace, aerospace, strategic infrastructure and communication, commercial space projects, quantum computing, and the use of artificial intelligence in industrial and defense fields, will also be discussed.

9) The US is likely to approve the establishment of engine manufacturing capabilities within India. General Electric may soon produce the GE-F414 jet engine for domestically produced fighter jets as part of a multi-million-dollar deal with Hindustan Aeronautics.

10) India is also expected to finalize the procurement of 31 armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics - a deal amounting to $3 billion.