PM Modi to address diaspora in Washington

NEW DELHI: PM Modi will engage with the Indian diaspora in Washington on June 25 during his first trip to the US after Donald Trump assumed charge as President.

While the scale of this round of diaspora interaction will be smaller, compared to the Madison Square Garden event or similar events in Wembley or Dubai, members of the community from all over the US are expected to gather in Washington to interact with Modi, according to persons familiar with the issue.

Details of the event are currently being worked out, one of the persons quoted above said. Modi is also expected to address a CEO forum during his Washington stay. Highlight of his visit will be his maiden summit meet with Trump that would witness discussions on a range of issues including counter-terrorism, defence partnership, Asia-Pacific partnership, Af-Pak situation besides trade and investment ties.

The summit meet will enable the two leaders to familiarise with each other and develop chemistry, according to persons familiar with Indo-US ties.

Before arriving in Washington, the PM will have a working visit to Portugal on June 24 as Delhi aims to expand trade and security partnership with the southern European nation which has an Indian origin premier at the helm at the moment. On his way back to Delhi, Modi will make an official trip to Netherlands one of the top foreign investors in India. This will be Modi’s second trip to Europe since May, with Delhi deciding to enhance partnership with the continent amid geo-political fluidity.