Narendra Modi upbeat on US trip, summit

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed confidence that his upcoming visit to the United States will help further deepen the bond between the two countries by building on the “substantial ground” covered during his last trip and President Barak Obama’s visit here earlier this year. Mr Modi will be undertaking a seven-day trip to Ireland and the US from September 23.

On the first leg, he will visit Ireland, marking the first Prime Ministerial visit from India in almost 60 years, he said in a statement. “In Ireland, I will hold talks with Enda Kenny, the “Taoiseach” (head of government) of Ireland,” Mr Modi said, adding he will also interact with the Indian community there.

On September 24, he will commence his visit to USA. “I am sure my US visit will be fruitful and further deepen the bond between the world’s oldest and largest democracies,” he said.

Mr Modi said he was going to the US at a “historic moment” when the United Nations is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

In New York City, he will address the UN Sustainable Development Summit for formal adoption of post-2015 new sustainable development agenda.

“I will also participate in a summit hosted by President Obama on peacekeeping,” he added. He noted that India has historically been one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping forces with 1,80,000 Indian troops having participated in UN peacekeeping missions — more than from any other country.

“We are proud of our peacekeeping forces spread across the world... I will pay homage to all those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for peace,” he said.

This year, India will host a summit of G-4 leaders in New York where the main agenda would be the UNSC reforms. Mr Modi will also be visiting the West Coast on September 26 and 27.