Rama Krishna Sangem
Prime Minister Narendra Modi September 24 returned to India, skipping a meeting with former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. As per earlier schedule, Modi was to meet Trump. Trump also talked of his possible meeting with Modi and termed the PM as “a fantastic man”. However, Modi preferred not to take risk and avoided meeting Trump.
Indian PM would have met Trump if only he got a chance to meet also Kamala Harris, Democratic presidential candidate and Vice-President of the US. But, she was not available for the appointment. So, Modi decided to stay away from both the contenders – Trump and Harris. Moreover, there is an overwhelming support of Indian Americans to Harris, unlike in the past when they mostly backed Trump.
During his visit, the prime minister attended the Quad leaders’ summit and the UN General Assembly session. He also addressed the Indian diaspora at an event in New York and held multiple bilateral meetings with several heads of states. The prime minister also spoke at the ‘Summit of the Future’, organised by the United Nations.
PM Modi began his visit from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, where his flight – Air India One – landed. He was welcome by a thousands of Indian-Americans who had gathered at the airport to greet him. From there, the prime minister went to Wilmington in Delaware, which is US President Joe Biden’s home city and state.
President Biden hosted the Quad leaders for the annual summit in his home city. 2024 was India’s turn to host the Quad Summit, but on a request by Washington DC, New Delhi agreed to host it next year. PM Narendra Modi was greeted by hundreds of Indians who had gathered at the airport in Philadelphia. (PTI Photo)
BIDEN HOSTS PM MODI AT HOME
President Biden hosted PM Modi at his home in Greenville, Delaware where the two leaders held bilateral talks to further strength the India-US strategic partnership. President Biden welcomed PM Modi on his arrival with a hug. He then help PM Modi’s hand and led him into his house.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to United States President Joe Biden for his warm hospitality. “Yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware, and his warmth and hospitality touched my heart. This honour belongs to 1.4 billion Indians, it’s your honour, your achievement, and the honour of the millions of Indians living here. I express my gratitude to President Biden and to all of you,” PM Modi said a day after meeting President Biden.
PM Modi gifted an antique silver hand-engraved train model to Joe Biden. The train model was customised by inscribing “DELHI-DELAWARE” on the sides of the main carriage and “INDIAN RAILWAYS” on the sides of the engine in English and Hindi based on the standard format used on passenger trains in India. Crafted by artisans from Maharashtra, which is renowned for its rich heritage in silver craftsmanship, the model is made of 92.5% silver
