Live: Modi talks trade facilitation, nuclear cooperation with Obama

11.40 pm: Biden hopes Obama-Modi will take India-US ties to newer levels While welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a luncheon, US Vice President Joe Biden said that India and US can always build a new and strong ties. “You and President Obama can usher this relationship to a different level,” Biden said. The US vice president made the gathering to get into a big laughter when he said, “The prime minister is fasting and we are taking him to lunch and dinners.” 11.05 pm: Obama escorts Modi to Martin Luther King Memorial In a departure from protocol, US President Barack Obama accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Martin Luther King Junior memorial and explained to him about the significance of the memorial. 10.51 pm: PM Modi invites Obama and family to visit India Prime Minister Modi also says that he has invited President Barack Obama and his family to visit India at a convenient time. Modi ended his statement saying, “I again thank President Obama, India community for the welcome in the US,” he said. 10.48 pm: Terrorism, Ebola, defence were discussed with Obama, says PM Modi Prime Minister Modi says that India and US also decided to intensify cooperation in intelligence to counter terrorism. Meanwhile PM Modi said, “We have shared concerns over the Ebola crisis, and India has committed to spend 10 million dollars on the issue.” Speaking on Defence PM Modi said, “I welcome US defence companies to invest in India.” 10.45 pm: Spoke candidly on trade facilitation, says PM Modi Now PM Modi thanks Obama and US for the warm welcome. “After our meeting in Mars we are now meeting here. . I am glad to have been able to meet the President in the early part of my tenure” “I am sure that in the near future India will see rapid economic growth. We are not just focussing on policies but also processes that will make business easier,” he said. “We also want to take forward the civil nuclear cooperation. It is important for India’s energy securities.” “India supports trade facilitation, but I expect we are able to find a solution for India’s food security issues,” PM Modi says. 10.40 pm: Look forward to working with PM Modi during his tenure, says Obama President Barack Obama says that India is a major power that bring peace in the world. “It will be an interesting time during PM Modi’s tenure. I look forward to work with him.” “We have decided to deepen existing ties,” he said. 10.03 pm: Pentagon sources say India-US extend defence agreement for 10 years India and US, during the bilateral meet between Modi and Obama have agreed to extend their defence agreement. PTI reports that according to Pentagon sources the defence agreement would be extended for 10 years. 8.39 pm: PM Modi begins talks with Barack Obama in White House Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at the White House where he is meeting US President Barack Obama at the Oval office. According to PTI, international issues including defence, security, trade and situation in West Asia in view of threat by Islamic State militants will be part of the talks. Modi drove straight from Blair House to the famous West Wing of the White House to hold talks with Obama, first in restrictive format followed by delegation level. [caption id=“attachment_1737967” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Barack Obama. Image courtesy: PIB[/caption] This is the second meeting between Modi and Obama, who hosted a private dinner for the Indian Prime Minister on his arrival from New York. While Modi was accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Ambassador S Jaishankar and other senior officials of the MEA and PMO while Obama was assisted by Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal. After the meeting they will issue a joint statement. 8.09 pm: PM Modi to meet Obama at Oval office soon Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a meeting with US President Barack Obama soon. He will be meeting the US president at 8:25 pm IST and the meeting is scheduled to go on till 9.40 pm IST. After which there would be a joint press statement by the two leaders around 10 pm IST. 5:05 pm: PM to visit Mahatma Gandhi memorial in Washington DC Crowd gathered outside Gandhi memorial in Washington DC as PM Narendra Modi arrived to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. People waited outside the memorial, waving flags and shouting out Modi’s name as he walked in to the memorial. External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and the Indian delegation also accompanied the PM. End of updates for September 29 11.25 pm: Believers of humanity need to unite against terrorism, says PM Modi in New York Now he speaks of terrorism. “I am sad to say that many countries in the world have not been able to understand terrorism.” “Unless we are the victim we won’t understand what it is. Terrorism has no boundaries, no one knows which country will be next,” he says. “Politics cannot solve the issue of terrorism. All those who believe in humanity have to unite against terrorism. People irrespective of country, creed, religion need to come together to fight terrorism,” he says and adds, “There is no bad or good terrorism. Look at what has happened to West Asia, that is why the world has to create one voice against terrorism.” 11.19 pm: Want to help neighbouring countries, says PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi says while India wants development, it cannot happen without the help of neighbouring countries. “Take for example the J&K floods. I had told Pakistan publicly that I want to help people on the other side of the border,” he says. He also says he had announced a SAARC satellite. “It will help our neighbouring countries, poor countries free of cost.” 11.15 pm: Will turn cleaning of River Ganga into mass movement, says PM Modi Modi also talks about his pet project - cleaning river Ganga. “So many lives are connected to the River. The river will be cleaned and not only will it help the environment it will also improve the lives of people,” he says. “I will turn it into a mass movement,” Modi says on cleaning River Ganga. 11.10 pm: State, Centre need to work together, says PM Modi in New York Prime Minister Modi speaks of reforms in laws. “We have brought changes in labour reforms,” he says. “India is a federal structure. Why should state and Centre not work together?” he says. “If they work together then investors will have more faith. That is why we want to create team India.” 11.05 pm: Agriculture, manufacturing, service sector will be pillars of economy, says PM Modi Modi says he wants to take economy forward on three pillars — agriculture, manufacturing and service sector. He says, “I invite people to ‘Make in India’. Our products should have zero defect and zero effect on environmanet.” Speaking of low cost productions, Modi says, “India is a young country and we are emphasising on skill development.” 10.58 pm: PM Modi highlights steps to ensure good governance PM Modi calls India a lucky country. “We are the oldest civilisation and we are a young country,” he says. “Stability in politics is a big message in itself,” he says and adds, “The people of the country by voting for a stable government has paved way for development,” he says. He also highlights how he plans to create good governance in India through transparency, e-governance and development. 10.56 pm: PM Modi addresses Council on Foreign Relations in New York Addressing the Council on Foreign Relations in New York Prime Minister Modi says since he was born after independence, democracy runs in his blood. “After 30 years India elected a government with a complete majority and that too a party that has spent lot of time in Opposition,” he says. 8.40 pm: PM Modi meets Hillary and Bill Clinton Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Hillary and Bill Clinton along with Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. Television visuals showed the Clintons welcoming Modi with handshakes while Hillary Clinton gave Swaraj a big hug. The four of them also stood together for photo ops. Meanwhile MEA spokers person Syed Akbaruddin immediately tweeted out some photos:

7:45 pm: Modi tells CEOs his first priority is to create jobs in India Some reports are emerging of what may have taken place at the Indian PM’s meeting with the top CEOs today. “The Prime Minister said that his first priority is to create jobs and improving condition,” Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga told NDTV. He promised to do that through transparency and consistency in policy, Banga said. Another CEO who was present at the meeting, GE’s Jeffrey Immelt told the channel that the Prime Minister had promised to address all their concerns. “The PM listened to everyone’s concerns and said he would address them,” Immelt said. “The PM likes to get things done and so do we,” he said. 7:00 pm: Individual CEOs begin meeting PM, Boeing seeks greater engagement Now begins the second half of the Prime Minister’s meetings with top CEOs and first up is chairman of aerospace giant Boeing, who is hoping for greater engagement with India in the coming days. Defence deals are also likely to feature in the talks and expect the Indian PM to ask him to come ‘make in India’.

6:40 pm: CEOs get return gift, Modi says SC verdict on coal blocks will be an opportunity And the CEOs won’t be going home empty handed today. The Prime Minister has sent them away with a unique gift of teas:

He has also said that the government will aim to make the most of the recent Supreme Court’s verdict cancelling the allocation of 214 coal blocks. “Want to convert the Supreme Court judgement on coal allocation into an opportunity to move forward & clean up the past,” Modi was quoted as saying by the official spokesperson. 6:00 pm: Modi’s breakfast with CEOs begins, says infra offers big opportunity After the almost rockstar-like appearance at the Madison Square Garden, the Indian Prime Minister has begun his day on a far more sedate and serious note with a breakfast meeting that features the who’s who of CEOs. Narendra Modi is meeting with the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies for breakfast including Google’s Eric Schmidt, Pepsico’s Indra Nooyi, Mastercard’s Ajay Banga, CEO of Black Rock Laurence D. Fink, president and CEO of IBM Ginni Rometty among others. While the meeting is closed door, the fly on the wall for us is the MEA’s Syed Akbaruddin who has given some updates on what’s happening inside. “Infrastructure development is a big opportunity; it creates jobs & enhances quality of life of our citizens,” the Prime Minister told the CEOs. He also told them that India wants change that is not one sided and he is talking to investors about how to achieve it. Here’s who will be meeting the Indian Prime Minister today. Here are some images from the meeting as well:

End of updates for 28 September 10.55 pm: Modi announces visa on arrival, merging of PIO and OCI schemes Modi announces that PIO card holders who have faced visa issues will get life long visas. He says, “Those who stay in India for a long time have to go to the police station, now they won’t have to.” “I have been told that due to differences between PIO and OCI people face difficulties, especially those who have spouses who are not Indians. I am happy to announce that we will merge the PIO and OCI schemes and make it into one,” he adds. He also announces a new scheme for NRIs in a few months. “We will also give long term visas for US nationals. We will also set up visa on arrival facilities for you,” he says. 10.45 pm: PM Modi stresses on importance of cleaning India, River Ganga Speaking of his childhood he says, “I come from a humble background. I am a small person thats why I like doing small things. I am a small person that is why I intend to do big things for the poor.” He goes on to speak about cleaning the river Ganga. “Should the Ganga be clean” he asks and people shout back “Yes.” He adds, “People ask me why are you getting involved in such complicated things. But I tell them that that is why I have been made PM.” He says, “Mahatma Gandhi gave us Independence. What have we given him?” “Gandhiji freed India from the shackles of slavery. Is it not our responsibility to clean India. If everyone in the country decides that we won’t dirty our country. Then no one can dirty the country,” he says. 10.35 pm: PM Modi wants world to ‘Make in India’ Modi now goes on to highlight the achievements of his government. “How do we know the government works? It is when so many people got their bank accounts opened in one day.” He also invites the world to invest in the country. “My call to the world is ‘Make in India’.” 10.30 pm: Modi praises India’s successful Mars mission at Madison Square Speaking of the Mars mission he says, “India is the first country in the world that has had a successful Mars mission in the first try.” “We reached Mars in a smaller budget than that of a Bollywood film. That is the talent of our country,” he says. 10.22 pm: Want development to become a people’s movement, says Modi at Madison Square Citing the example of how Mahatma Gandhi turned the want of independence a people’s movement he says, “Similarly development should be turned into a people’s movement. Each person in the country from students to a sweeper should think that they are working for the country.” “I want the crores in our country to be a part of the people’s movement for development,” he says. 10.20 pm: I may live far away, but I’m aware of your problems, Modi tells NRIs Prime Minister Modi says it is not the government that can create development. “Development happens when the people of the country participate,” he says. Speaking of problems faced in by NRIs he says, “I may live miles away from you but I am very well aware of your issues.” 10.12 pm: Democracy, demographic dividend, demand India’s biggest strengths, says PM Modi Speaking of India’s development Modi says, “This country will move forward swiftly. This country has three things that no country has. But it is our responsibility to identify these powers.” “One of the three things that India should be proud of is democracy, our biggest strength,” says prime minister Modi. “The second strength is demographic dividend. The country has 35% of youngsters, what else does it need? The third thing is demand. The whole world is looking at India. It is very much in demand,” he says. 10.05 pm: Confident that govt will fulfill people’s dreams, says Modi at Madison Square The Prime Minister says, “I can say with confidence that this government will be 100% successful in fulfilling the dreams of the people.” “Now even people living in the US also want to come back to India,” he says. He says that the whole world is convinced that the 21st century is the century for Asia. 10.01 pm: Haven’t taken even a 15 break since I became PM, says Modi at Madison Square Saying that no political pundit had expected the Lok Sabha Election results, he says, “Winning elections is a responsibility. Since I have become PM I have not taken a vacation for even 15 minutes.” “I would never do anything to put you down,” Modi says. 9.59 pm: Modi thanks NRIs for huge support during Lok Sabha elections Modi says that he is sure that none of the people present at Madison Square Garden must have slept the day results of the Lok Sabha elections were announced. “As much as India celebrated the results, so did the India community spread across the world. I could not even thank those who had supported me during the elections. Today I thank you,” he says. 9.53 pm: Modi thanks NRIs for changing India’s image Greeting people on Navaratri Modi says that it is a phase to make yourself pure. “Navratri is the time to purify the self. The fact that I got to meet all of you during this auspicious time is my privilege,” he says. He thanks Indian Americans for creating a good image of the country. “There was a time when India was looked at as a country of snakes and snake charmers. Thanks to you things have changed,” he said. 9.45 pm: PM Modi on stage as Kavitha Krishnamurthy sings national anthem Prime Minister Narendra Modi is finally on stage as Kavith Krishnamurthy sings the Indian national anthem. Also on stage are several US senators. 9.40 pm: Crowd cheers ‘Modi, Modi’ as PM is called on stage at Madison Square The crowd at Madison Square Garden is cheering ‘Modi, Modi’ as the Prime Minister is called on stage along with other US senators. This comes right before the singing of the Indian National anthem. 9.25 pm: PM Modi arrives at Madison Square Garden PM Narendra Modi has arrived at Madison Square Garden as a slideshow highlighting his achievements plays on a huge screen. Many US senators are also present at the event. As they are each called to the stage the crowd cheers “USA, USA”. Meanwhile Twitter is going berserk with thousands expressing pride over his achievements.

9.05 pm: Modi’s speech to be screened at Times Square Its not just Madison Square Garden, many Indian Americans have gathered at Times Square to watch PM Narendra Modi’s speech which will be telecast live on a huge screen. Meawhile at the venue a group of dancers perform to songs like Vande Mataram and Jai Ho Also as Kavitha Krishnamurthy performed an artist swiftly painted a potrait of the Indian PM. 8.57 pm: Kavitha Krishnamurthy begins show as crowd cheers for Modi Playback singer Kavith Krishnamurthy began the event at Madison Square Garden with “Yeh Mera India” from the film Pardes, as the crowd cheered. The host of the show is Nina Davuluri, the first Indian American to become Miss America. 8.43 pm: Event begins with cultural programme, thousands throng venue Thousands of Indian-American supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are lining up excitedly outside the iconic Madison Square Garden here to listen to his eagerly awaited speech. Indian-American men, women and children wearing colourful Indian attire have gathered to greet the prime minister since early morning to hear him speak with long lines of people waiting to enter the venue. Modi’s fans were seen carrying the Indian tricolour and wore traditional Indian garb with several groups of performers carrying drums and ‘dhols’ to give him a rousing welcome. There was also a group of Tibetan women carrying banners in support of Modi. The excitement is palpable as chants of “Modi Modi” rent the air. Strict security arrangements are in place with police barricades at several locations. 8.30 pm: PM Modi to address thousands in New York’s Madison Square Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a five day trip to the US, will address thousands of Indian Americans in New York’s Madison Square Garden shortly. According to CNN-IBN reports over 18,000 people are going to attend the event. It is allegedly the biggest gathering any foreign leader has addressed in the US. [caption id=“attachment_1734251” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Prime Minster Narendra Modi walks off stage during the Global Citizen Festival concert in Central Park in New York. Reuters[/caption] He is attracting both a sold-out crowd for a speech and angry protesters who through a US lawsuit are attempting to hold him responsible for the 2002 Gujarat rioting. Firstpost had earlier reported that Police are also preparing for angry protestors who will stage elaborate demonstrations, some of them disruptive, to call for justice. “It is a cause for great alarm that a man with his track record has become a head of state. We have to take a stand for what is right,” said Gurpatwant Pannun, a human rights lawyer based in New York. Pannun’s group Alliance for Justice and Accountability intends to wave black flags and picket Madison Square Garden on Sunday and organize protests outside the White House on Tuesday. Large posters saying “Modi lies, they die” were distributed by protestors on Saturday in Times Square and are likely to pop up at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Modi will also meet an influential American Jewish group which had congratulated him soon after his electoral victory.