modi

Modi unveiled his vision earlier in the day, writing in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, “The United States is our natural global partner. India and the US embody the enduring and universal relevance of their shared values.”

A major element of the Modi-Obama interaction will be their personal equation, said a senior administration official. Another said the two would bring their respective visions to the discussions in order to “propel the relationship forward and kick it to the next level”.

Modi — who was denied a visa by the US in 2005 for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots — has a packed schedule. Saturday, though, is relatively light with the UN address, a visit to the 9/11 memorial and meetings with UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon and at least two heads of state, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sheikh Hasina. Sunday will be dedicated mostly to meetings with the Indian American community, including the event at the iconic Madison Square Garden, and global CEOs.