PM Modi in US: Schedule packed with meetings with Biden, Harris, QUAD leaders, American CEOs and UNGA address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a five-day visit to the United States on Wednesday to attend a slew of meetings where he will highlight India’s achievements, concerns and also suggest measures to deal with the evolving situation on the regional as well as the global front. 

This would be his second visit abroad post Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to this, he had visited Bangladesh in March this year to participate in their National Day programme. 

Prime Minister Modi is leading a delegation comprising External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and senior officials. Jaishankar is already in the United States, holding bilateral meetings with counterparts from several countries. 

During his visit to the US, Prime Minister Modi will also hold discussions with top American business tycoons and would invite them to make fresh investments and also expand their existing business in India. 

Among the meetings that are slated to take place in Washington, DC include the Covid-19 Global Summit, three bilateral meetings and the first-ever in-person QUAD leaders' summit wherein the leaders would also discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan. 

The Prime Minister will also address the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York on September 25. 

Prime Minister's Agenda: Indo-US bilateral meeting

During their first-ever in-person bilateral meeting on September 24, Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden will review the robust and multifaceted bilateral relationship between the two countries. 

Discussion on Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership, trade and investment ties, strengthening of defence and security collaboration, boosting of the strategic clean energy partnership, exploring new avenues and emerging technologies will be held between the two leaders.

The situation in Afghanistan, cross-border terrorism, radicalisation, extremism and the dismantling of global terrorist networks will also be the dominating issues during the meeting. 

The two leaders will also discuss the need for reforms in the UN Security Council. 

Prime Minister Modi would also meet US Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Prime Minister's Agenda: Bilateral meetings with Australia and Japan

PM Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will be meeting in person for the first time in the post-Covid-19 pandemic period. 

The two prime ministers are likely to hold elaborate discussions on the growing India-Australia relationship and issues of mutual interests. 

With his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister Modi will review the progress in the close and multifaceted cooperation between two countries under the framework of the India-Japan special strategic and global partnership.

Prime Minister's Agenda: QUAD Leaders’ Summit 

On September 24, the heads of QUAD nations -- India, Australia, Japan and the United States -- will be meeting at the White House in Washington, DC to review the broad array of initiatives including on vaccines, infrastructure, emerging technologies and climate change that were announced during their virtual meeting in March this year. 

The QUAD partners are having common interests in striving for a free open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. 

"The four leaders will share views and perspectives on the regional situation and the emerging challenges, including in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, on how to work together to contain Covid-19, evolve a common approach to emerging technologies and a means of addressing climate change," Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday ahead of PM’s visit to the US.

During the meeting, the four heads will also identify new areas of cooperation that will reinforce the positive and constructive agenda of the port, including contemporary areas that will benefit the Indo-Pacific region as a whole. 

Prime Minister's Agenda: UNGA meeting

On September 25, PM Modi will be the first head of state of government to address the United Nations General Assembly at its 76th session. 

In his address, he will dwell upon important issues, including the regional situation, cross border terrorism, global efforts to combat Covid-19 and climate change and the need to reform multilateral institutions.

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