Modi visits US to deepen relations

NEW YORK/NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States on Tuesday for a state visit that has been projected as key in ties between the two countries that would deepen and diversify their partnership.

Modi has been to the US five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but this visit from Tuesday until Saturday will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit, Reuters reported.

Modi landed on Tuesday afternoon in New York, where he had business meetings. Modi kicks off his public schedule on Wednesday with a group yoga session on the United Nations' north lawn to mark the International Day of Yoga, which Modi persuaded the UN to designate in 2014 as an annual observance.

Modi heads to Washington later on Wednesday for a three-day visit that includes an Oval Office meeting with President Joe Biden, an address to a joint meeting of Congress, a White House state dinner and more. The plans include a State Department luncheon hosted by Vice-President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

During Modi's visit, it is expected that the two countries will expand cooperation in the defense industry and high-tech sectors, with India getting access to critical US technologies that Washington rarely shares with non-allies.

"This special invitation is a reflection of the vigor and vitality of the partnership between our democracies," Modi said in a statement before departure.

"I will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating our trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains."

On Tuesday, Modi met with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, who was to brief him on plans to set up an electric vehicle manufacturing base in India, a source with direct knowledge of the arrangement told Reuters.

"It was excellent and a very good conversation," Musk said after meeting Modi, adding that he plans to visit India next year.

Tesla has had discussions with the Indian government about incentives for car and battery manufacturing and proposed establishing a factory in India to build electric vehicles, Reuters reported in May.

Agencies Via Xinhua