Tag: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Modi On Global Peace of India and US

India, US Committed To Working For Global Peace: Modi

By LokMarg

Noting that the world order is taking a new shape in the post-Covid era, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India and the US are committed to working together for the global good and peace, stability and prosperity.

Speaking at the White House lawns after the ceremonial welcome, PM Modi said the societies and institutions of both India and the US are based on democratic values and the two countries take pride in diversity.
“In the post-Covid era, the world order is taking a new shape. In this time period, the friendship between India and US will be instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world. India and the US are committed to working together for the global good and peace, stability and prosperity,” PM Modi said.

“The societies and institutions of both India and the US are based on democratic values. The constitutions of both countries begin with the three words ‘We The People’. Both countries take pride in their diversity and believe in the fundamental principle of ‘Sarv Jan Hitay Sarv Jan Sukhay’ (interest of all, welfare of all),” he added.

The Prime Minister talked about the contributions of the Indian-American community.

“After becoming Prime Minister, I came here many times, but today for the first time that the doors of the White House are open for the Indian-American community in such large numbers. The people of the Indian community are enhancing the country’s honour in the US through their talent hard work and dedication. You are the real strength of our relationship. Today, I thank President Biden and Dr Jill Biden for the honour you have been given,” he said.

“In a while from now, I and President Biden will hold discussions on India-US relations, and other regional and global issues. I firmly believe that just as always, our talks will be very positive and useful. In the afternoon, I will get the opportunity to address the US Congress for the second time. I am very grateful for that. I and the 1.4 billion Indians hope that India’s Tricolour and US ‘Star and Stripes’, keep on touching newer heights,” he added.

Prime Minister Modi, who is on state visit to the US, arrived at the White House to a ceremonial welcome.

“I would like to express gratitude to President Biden for this grand welcome and far-sighted address. This grand welcome is the pride and honour for 140 crore Indians, this is also an honour for 40 million people of Indian origin living in the US. I express heartfelt gratitude to President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden,” he said.

Upon his arrival at the White House lawns, PM Modi who was dressed in a traditional white kurta pyjama teamed with a powder blue jacket was greeted by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

A US delegation led by Vice President Kamala Harris, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin assembled to greet PM Modi.

The Indian delegation led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu were also present.

National anthems of India and the US played out as thousands of people gathered on the White House South Lawns to greet PM Modi.

Huge crowds of people gathered at the South Lawns of the White House to welcome PM Modi. Visuals showed them waving Indian flags and chanting “Modi, Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogans.

Some people were waving a banner that read: “Indian American Diaspora welcomes Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi”. (ANI)

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White House Modi Biden

Huge Crowd Gathers Outside White House To Welcome Modi

By LokMarg

A huge crowd of Indian diaspora gathered outside the South Lawns of the White House on Thursday, awaiting the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden.

‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Modi Modi’ chants echoed in the air as people gathered in huge numbers. Some of the signs held by people in the crowd read “America loves Modi.”
People could be seen chanting slogans and waving the national flags of both India and the US.

PM Modi is on his first state visit to the US. an official state visit is the highest-ranked diplomatic invitation extended to a visiting leader.

An Indian-origin student on the balcony of the White House played the violin and a as a large crowd of Indian-Americans waited to welcome PM Modi

Poornima Boria, CEO of the National India-US Chamber of Commerce and former advisor to the US State Department of Commerce described it as an incredible moment.

“What an incredible moment! We are proud of our Prime Minister. Never before so many people were allowed to come to the South Lawns of the White House,” she told ANI.

Another woman from Nigeria also heaped praises on Prime Minister Modi and said that she has never seen such a large crowd.

“I have seen Presidents of many countries visiting the US, but never seen such a large crowd gathered here to welcome them. This crowd here means that he (PM Modi) is doing good,” she said.

The huge crowd of the Indian diaspora had come from different regions to meet PM Modi at the White House.

“I work up at 3 am and came all the way from Richmond to welcome PM Modi and I am very excited,” Rumesh Shah from Gujarat said.

Another supporter Alka Shah said, “I would come from any part of the world to meet the Prime Minister of our country. He is the only one the whole world knows about him. He can be a role model for the rest of the leaders of the world.”

“I am here to meet Prime Minister Modi. He is the best man in the whole world. He is going to make India no. 1,” a man from Gujarat who is living in the US for the last 50 years told ANI.

Prime Minister Modi who arrived in Washington DC from New York was hosted by United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House on Wednesday. He was also hosted for an intimate dinner at the White House, a day before the high-profile state dinner.

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi led a special Yoga session on the lawns of the UN headquarters in New York City to mark the 9th edition of International Yoga Day.

The special Yoga session led by PM Modi on the lawns of the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday entered the Guinness Book of World Records for drawing people of most nationalities performing Yoga together.

In addition to official engagements, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to interact with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.

He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI)

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congress urban naxalism Nadda

World Praises Modi Except Congress: Nadda

By LokMarg

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) JP Nadda on Thursday slammed Congress party and said the whole world praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the Congress called him a snake, illiterate, chaiwala.

“The whole world praises PM Modi but Congress calls him a snake, illiterate, chaiwala. Today there is an economic slowdown in America, Europe, and Australia but India’s economy is standing strong,” BJP national president said in Jharkhand.
Earlier in May, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had compared PM Modi to a “poisonous snake”.

“PM Modi is like a ‘poisonous snake’. You might to check if it’s poison or not. But if you lick it, you’re dead,” Kharge had said at an election rally.

However, he later issued a clarification on his remark, saying his statement wasn’t intended at hurting anyone.

PM Modi is currently on a State visit to the US. Prior to the visit to the White House, PM Modi met Gary E Dickerson, the President and CEO of Applied Materials, Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology and H Lawrence Culp Jr, Chairman and CEO, of General Electic and CEO of General Electic Aerospace.

PM Modi, who arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday, started his day by attending the ‘Skilling for Future’ event where he said that India and the United States partnership will serve as the driving engine behind sustainable and inclusive global growth. (ANI)

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Biden ease for skilled Indians Workers

Biden Plans To Ease Visas For Skilled Indian Workers

By LokMarg

In order to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the United States, the Joe Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, Reuters reported citing three people familiar with the matter.

The development comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US. The US State Department could make the announcement on Thursday that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas in the US, without the need to having to travel to other nations, Reuters reported citing one of the sources, part of a pilot program that could be expanded in coming years.
By far, a large percentage of H-1B visa holders and applicants hail from India. Indian citizens made up 73 per cent of the nearly 4,42,000 H1-B workers in the fiscal year 2022. Another US official said that the mobility of the people is considered a “huge asset” to the US.

“And so our goal is to approach that in a sort of multifaceted way. The State Department already has been working very hard to find creative ways to make changes to things,” Reuters quoted the US official as saying.

A US State Department spokesperson did not reveal the visa types that would qualify or the timing of the pilot launch. The spokesperson said that the pilot will start with a small number of cases with the intent to scale the initiative in the following one or two years, Reuters reported.

Each year, the US government makes 65,000 H1-B visas available to companies that intend to have skilled foreign workers and an additional 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, Reuters reported. The visa for the workers remains valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years.

The decision to allow some of the temporary foreign workers to renew their visas in the US will free up resources for visa interviews in consulates in other nations, Reuters reported citing the sources. Citing sources, the report said the pilot program will include some workers with L-1 visas.

Earlier in March, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the country has received the sufficient number of electronic registrations needed to reach the Congressionally mandated H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2024.

“U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap),” USCIS said in the statement.

“We have randomly selected from the registrations properly submitted to reach the cap, and have notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration,” it added. (ANI)

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Modi Praises Artificial Intelligence G20

Modi Praises Artificial Intelligence At G20 Education Ministers’ Meet

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed on the role of G-20 countries in striking the right balance between the opportunities and challenges posed by digital technology, which he termed as a force multiplier in increasing access to education and adapting to future needs.

Addressing a G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting held in Pune via video message today, the Prime Minister touched upon the potential of Artificial Intelligence which offers great potential in the field of learning, skilling and education.
The Prime Minister stressed that G20 countries with their respective strengths can play a crucial role in promoting research and innovation, especially in the Global South. He urged the dignitaries to create a path for increased research collaborations.

Continuous skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling are key to making youth future-ready, said Prime Minister noting that education is not only the foundation upon which India’s civilization has been built, but it is also the architect of humanity’s future.

Highlighting the significance of the G20 Education Ministers’ Meet towards the future of our children and youth, the Prime Minister expressed delight that the group has identified green transition, digital transformations and women’s empowerment as accelerators for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

“Education is at the root of all these efforts”, the Prime Minister said, as he expressed confidence that the outcome of the meeting will be an inclusive, action-oriented and future-ready education agenda.

“This would benefit the whole world in the true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future”, the Prime Minister said.

Throwing light on the emphasis laid on research and innovation, the Prime Minister highlighted that India has set up ten thousand ‘Atal Tinkering Labs’ across the country which act as research and innovation nurseries for our school children. He informed that more than 7.5 million students are working on more than 1.2 million innovative projects in these labs.

He recited a Sanskrit Shloka which translates into ‘True knowledge gives humility, from humility comes worthiness, from worthiness one gets wealth, wealth enables a person to do good deeds, and, this is what brings joy’, he said that India has embarked on a holistic and comprehensive journey.

Modi emphasized that foundational literacy forms a strong base for the youth and that India is combining it with technology, and highlighted the ‘National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy”, or ‘Nipun Bharat’ initiative by the Government and expressed happiness that ‘Foundational Literacy and Numeracy’ has been identified as a priority by G20 as well.

Underlining the need to make youth future-ready by continuously skilling, reskilling, and up-skilling them, PM Modi emphasized aligning their competencies with evolving work profiles and practices.

Further, stating that India is undertaking skill mapping where ministries are working in tandem, he suggested that G-20 countries can undertake skill mapping at the global level and find gaps that need to be plugged in. (ANI)

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White House Modi Biden

Biden, First Lady Host Modi At Private White House Dinner

By LokMarg

United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (local time) hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House, a day before the high-profile state dinner.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan are also attending the dinner, which featured the President’s favourite foods- pasta and ice cream.
Earlier on Wednesday the President of the United States and the First Lady received Prime Minister Modi at the White House in Washington DC on his arrival of the second leg of his official state visit.

PM Modi’s motorcade pulled up in the South Portico around 7:36 pm (local time). US President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden welcomed him. The camaraderie between leaders was visible as they seen laughing and engaged in conversation.

The first couple presented Prime Minister Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century among other gifts. PM Modi also presented the Bidens with gifts that included a special Mysore sandalwood box handcrafted by a master craftsman from Rajasthan and containing a silver idol of Lord Ganesha.

At the intimate dinner, the trio enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India, performed by youth dancers from Studio Dhoom, a DMV-based Indian dance studio that helps connect a new generation to the vibrant culture of Indian dance, according to the White House.

PM Modi took to Twitter to thank US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for hosting him at the White House.

Prior to the visit to the White House, PM Modi met Gary E Dickerson, the President and CEO of Applied Materials, Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology and H Lawrence Culp Jr, Chairman and CEO, of General Electic and CEO of General Electic Aerospace.

PM Modi, who arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday, started his day by attending the ‘Skilling for Future’ event where he said that India and the United States partnership will serve as the driving engine behind sustainable and inclusive global growth.

“To maintain growth momentum, India and the US need a pipeline of talent. On the one hand, the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies. On the other hand, India has the world’s biggest youth factory. That is why, I believe that the India-US partnership will prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth,” he added.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the Indian government to secure a bright future for students such as implementing the New Education Policy and integrating education and skilling. Speaking about the work that the Indian government did for the bright future of the students, PM Modi stated that they have brought the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling.

PM Modi urged American students to come to India and said that hundreds of United States teachers are already in India, participating in a tech partnership. (ANI)

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UK-India Partnership

‘UK-India Partnership A Defining One For Our Times’: Sunak

By LokMarg

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the UK-India partnership on Wednesday, calling it “a defining one for our times”, informed an official release.

His remarks have come ahead of India Global Forum’s flagship UK-India Week 2023.
Praising the role of IGF in fostering closer ties between India and the United Kingdom, Sunak said the event is a catalyst for forging new trade ties.

“India Global Forum’s annual UK-India Week is a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar of our two great nations. It is a catalyst for forging new trade ties, lasting collaborations, and a better future for our people. I am confident this partnership will be a defining one for our times,” the British PM said.

Responding to Sunak’s remarks, Manoj Ladwa, founder and chairman of India Global Forum, said that given the geopolitical upheaval and economic turbulence, it is more important than ever for India and UK to forge closer ties.

“Given the geopolitical upheaval and economic turbulence around the world, I believe that it is more important now than ever before that the UK and India forge closer and deeper ties. I am therefore grateful to Prime Minister Sunak for recognising the role that IGF is playing in bringing our two great democracies closer to unlocking the true potential of the partnership,” he said.

Last year, as Chancellor, while speaking at IGF’s UK-India Awards, Sunak had emphasised the importance of forging a partnership of equals.

“India isn’t looking to the past. And nor can we. We need to move forward. Because the UK does not have a natural right to sit at the table with one of the world’s largest, fastest-growing, and most dynamic economies. We must earn it,” he said.

In the backdrop to the 2030 Roadmap agreed upon by both governments and the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations, Prime Minister Sunak’s comments are a key indicator of his ambition to transform and elevate UK-India ties, the release stated.

On the sidelines of the recent G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, Sunak and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership while taking stock of the progress in the FTA negotiations.

The British government has estimated that a trade deal could increase UK’s GDP by approximately 3.3- 6.2 billion euros and India’s by around 3.7-8.6 billion euros by 2035.

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party who will be opening UK India Week this year, said ahead of his participation, the time has now come to look to the future and work on all areas where there is scope for mutual benefit.

“I am looking forward to speaking at India Global Forum. The Labour Party has a long and strong relationship with India which I am very proud of. The time has now come to look to the future and work on how we can deepen and widen our cooperation in critical areas such as trade and investment, technology and innovation, climate action, diversity and inclusion, and healthcare, the future of work, skills and education — all areas where I see huge scope for mutual benefit.”

Union Minister for Power, New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh, and UK Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan will be among the several senior political and business figures from the UK and India participating at India Global Forum.

“India Global Forum’s UK-India Week is a six-day series of events that brings together business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India, UK and across the world to discuss and explore opportunities for further collaboration and growth. The event features a series of discussions, keynote speeches, and exclusive networking opportunities from the 24 to 30 June 2023 in London and Windsor. Over 2000 in-person participants will attend IGF UK- India Week 2023 over 12 marque events in iconic locations,” the release stated. (ANI)

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Modi Yoga Event Guinness Book

Modi Led Yoga Event Enters Guinness Book

By LokMarg

The special Yoga session led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the lawns of the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday entered the Guinness Book of World Records for drawing the people of most nationalities performing Yoga together.

Prime Minister Modi led a special Yoga session on the lawns of the UN headquarters to mark the 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga.
“Today, there was a Guinness World Records title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today, in New York, at the UN, they had 135. It is a new Guinness world records title…,” Michael Empric, official adjudicator, Guinness World Records, told ANI.

Addressing the special event, PM Modi said, “Yoga comes from India, it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free of copyrights, patents and royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal.”

He added that last year, the entire world came together to support India’s proposal to celebrate 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ and it was wonderful to see people, across nationalities, coming together again to mark Yoga Day.

“Let us use the power of Yoga not only to be healthy, and happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Let us use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realise the goal of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’,” PM Modi added.

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide annually on June 21 since 2015, after PM Modi’s proposal to dedicate a day to celebrating the ancient Indian fitness routine was formally accepted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.

In his 2014 address to the UNGA, Prime Minister Modi proposed June 21 as the date for marking International Yoga Day as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has a special significance in many parts of the world. (ANI)

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Modi in Yoga Day Event at UN Headquarter

Modi-Led Yoga Day Event: UNGA Prez, Richard Gere To Participate

By LokMarg

The Yoga Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Headquarters in New York will see participation from President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, actor Richard Gere and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Also participating in the event will be digital evangelist Vala Afshar, award-winning storyteller Jay Shetty, Indian chef and restaurateur Vikas Khanna and Grammy award winner Ricky Kej.
The function will also be attended by personalities and influencers from all walks of life including diplomats, officials, academicians, health professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, media personalities, artists, spiritual leaders, and yoga practitioners, among others.

People from more than 180 countries will be joining the PM for the Yoga Day programme.

Meanwhile, ahead of the PM Modi-led Yoga event, there were chants of ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ at UN Headquarters lawns in New York.

The Prime Minister is presently on his maiden state visit to the United States, during which he will lead celebrations of International Yoga Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York today.

“At around 5:30 pm IST, I will participate in the Yoga program which is being organised at the headquarters of the United Nations. The coming together of more than 180 countries on India’s call is historic. When the proposal for Yoga Day came to the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, it was supported by a record number of countries,” PM Modi said in a video message on Wednesday morning.

Speaking about the ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’, PM Modi said, “The ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ has made the Yoga Day events more special this year. Its idea is based on the interrelationship between the idea of yoga and the expanse of the ocean.”

The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.

This year the theme of Yoga Day is ‘Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of ‘One World-One Family’.It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. Like every time, this time too programs related to yoga will be organised in every corner of the country. (ANI)

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India Strongest Possible Defense

Trying To Help US, India Develop Strongest Possible Defense Ties: Former Envoy

By LokMarg

Atul Keshap, president of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), on Wednesday weighed in on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing maiden state visit to the United States, saying that the forum was working to help the two all-weather allies develop the “strongest possible” defence ties for the shared prosperity of both the countries.

Speaking to ANI, the senior US diplomat said, “We are trying to help the US and India develop the strongest possible defence ties for our shared prosperity. The state visit of PM Modi marks the strategic, economic and technological convergence of the United States and India.”
Sharing his excitement on PM Modi’s ongoing visit, during which he will address a special joint session of the US Congress and be hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner, added, “I am really excited about this and I think that PM Modi and President Biden have shown real leadership in taking our countries to the next great level.”

On the bilateral ties between India and the US, Keshap said both countries were working together to ensure that every country in the Indo-Pacific can exercise its sovereignty and have equal opportunities to take care of its people.

“We are Quad partners and are working together in so many ways to ensure a free and open Indo-pacific. We recently had a meeting with our defence staff of the Quad in California. I think US and India are trying that every country in the Indo-pacific has sovereignty and opportunity to take care of its people. We believe in the peaceful arbitration of disputes and have strong defence ties so that our people are safe,” he said.

Last week, while addressing an ‘India Ideas Summit’ organised by US-India Business Council (USIBC) in Washington DC, Keshap, the former US envoy to India, said the ongoing visit of PM Modi will be “truly momentous.”

Terming the partnership between the two countries as a “resilient” one, Keshap said in the 2 years that he has been the president of the US-India Business Council, he has seen the ties between the two countries transform. (ANI)

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