Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open an Indian Consulate in Los Angeles.

“Especially as we prepare to host the world in 2026 for the FIFA World Cup and 2028 for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, I am excited and honoured by this announcement,” Ms. Bass said in a statement on Wednesday (September 25, 2024).

With nearly one million Indians and Indian-Americans living in California, the new Consulate will be a resource for people throughout the region as well as for those visiting from India in the years to come, she said.

“I have seen first-hand the critical work that our Consulates in Los Angeles do to support both the communities they represent, and to build bridges — economic, educational, and cultural — between our cities and our people. They are an essential part of what makes our city a global city, and we look forward to welcoming India’s representatives to L.A.,” Ms. Bass added.

Ms. Bass said the Los Angeles region is also home to more than 180 universities and colleges, centres for student experience, research, and innovation.

“California is proud to host more than 10 per cent of all Indians studying in the United States, and we value the bridges they create between our communities…Tourism between India and Los Angeles is another source of mutual benefit… With more than 100,000 Indian visitors to Los Angeles every year, a consulate will not only provide important services but become a key partner to expand our cooperation,” she said.

Los Angeles is home to more than 1,50,000 Indian Americans.

“With the largest port complex in the western hemisphere, thousands of start-ups and the third largest venture capital market in the United States, and a slate of international sporting and entertainment events scheduled over the next decade including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I am excited by the endless opportunities to strengthen ties between Los Angeles and India,” Ms. Bass said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly today at their headquarters in New York. The two-day summit started on Sunday and the Prime Minister addressed the meeting on the final day of his three-day visit to the US. This comes a day after the UN General Assembly approved a 42-page plan to unite the world to fix problems such as climate change, AI, war, inequality and poverty.

The summit, which brings together leaders from around the world, will focus on how to attain sustainable development goals which are also inclusive and equitable. A declaration for future generations is also expected to be adopted during the summit. 

Here the highlights on PM Modi’s Address At The UN Summit: 

New York:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today convened a high-profile roundtable with top American technology CEOs, focusing on innovation, collaboration, and India’s growing tech space. The meeting, held at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, was part of PM Modi’s three-day visit to the United States, with its second leg in New York. 

Hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, the roundtable saw participation from leaders of companies specialising in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology.

The roundtable was attended by prominent CEOs like Google’s Sundar Pichai Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi said, “Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation, and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India.”

Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India. pic.twitter.com/qW3sZ4fv3t

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that the roundtable focused on cutting-edge sectors, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology, and semiconductor technologies.

“The CEOs participated in a deep dive with Prime Minister on the evolving technology landscape at a global level and how these cutting-edge technologies are contributing to the well-being of people around the world including in India. They touched upon how technology is being leveraged for innovations, which have the potential to revolutionize the global economy and human development,” the MEA said in a statement. 

On Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Prime Minister stressed that India’s policy is to promote ‘AI for All’, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.

PM Modi also reassured the CEOs of India’s strong commitment to protecting intellectual property and fostering a conducive environment for technology-led innovation. He encouraged the business leaders to capitalise on India’s growth trajectory, pointing to the nation’s potential to become the third-largest economy globally.

The meeting also explored opportunities to invest in India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, where innovations in technology are accelerating. Startups were seen as a crucial bridge for American companies to enter the Indian market and contribute to creating new technologies and solutions.

MIT Professor Anantha Chandrakasan, who chaired the session, thanked PM Modi and the participating CEOs for their contributions. He affirmed MIT’s ongoing commitment to using technology for global good and advancing collaboration between the United States and India in critical technology sectors.
 

New York:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York on Sunday.

The Prime Minister expressed “deep concern” at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support to the Palestinian people.

“PM @narendramodimet H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today. PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support to the people of Palestine,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in a post on X.

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today.

PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed ’s continued support to the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/6SvSBBds0x

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2024

Notably, India has long weighed for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

PM Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, but India has repeatedly expressed concerns over the deteriorating situation in Gaza.

India also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as part of its commitment. In July, India released the first instalment of 2.5 million dollars to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, for Palestine refugees for the year 2024-25.

Prior to this, PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

Along with Kuwait’s Crown Prince, PM Modi reviewed India-Kuwait bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen our historical linkages and strong people-to-people contacts.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1838007690779378051

During his meeting with PM Oli, Prime Minister Modi discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of the age-old, multi-faceted and expanding India-Nepal partnership.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1838006931656507810

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of the USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, in New York today.

PM Modi emphasized India’s growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaborations and innovation across diverse sectors, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.

PM Modi arrived in New York in the second leg of his three-day visit to the United States. On Saturday, PM Modi took part in the Quad Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The Prime Minister addressed a huge gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Coliseum in New York on Sunday.

He will also address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly in New York today.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum arena, in New York on Sunday, September 22, 2024. After the event, Mr. Modi met Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a roundtable with the CEOs of leading American companies, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, to enhance cooperation between India and the US in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum computing and semiconductors.

Also read: Joe Biden hails PM Modi’s Ukraine trip, lauds India’s global role

The meeting took place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on Sunday (September 22, 2024) during the second leg of Mr. Modi’s three-day US visit.

The Prime Minister participated in the roundtable with CEOs of US-based firms working on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum computing and semiconductors.

Among those he met include Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Modi also addressed the Indian diaspora at the packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum on Long Island in New York.

The Prime Minister reached New York on Sunday after attending the Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi speaks at an event in Uniondale, N.Y. on September 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 22, 2024) said that he has set very ambitious goals in his third term to make the country a developed nation and asserted that India today is a land of opportunities.

“After going through this tough election process, this long election system, something unprecedented happened in India (this year). What happened… “Abkibaar Modi Sarkaar,” Mr. Modi said in his address to thousands of Indian Americans in New York.

Also Read: PM Modi in U.S. LIVE updates

“For the first time in 60 years, the people of India have given a mandate which has great significance. During my third term, I have very ambitious goals to achieve. We have to move forward with three times the strength,” he said.

Mr. Modi said he has dedicated his life for good governance and for a prosperous India. Observing that destiny brought him to politics, he said he had never thought of becoming a chief minister or prime minister. Over the last 10 years, people have seen this model of governance and thus have voted him to power for a third term, he added.

The Prime Minister was addressing a packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum with more than 13,000 Indian Americans. While the majority of them were from the New York and New Jersey area, Indian Americans came in from 40 States, organisers said. 60 charter buses were used for transportation purposes.

Applauding the role of Indian Americans in strengthening the relationship between India and the U.S., he called them as India’s brand ambassadors. Referring to a Sanskrit shloka that “it is those who make sacrifices reap benefits”, the Prime Minister said wherever the Indian diaspora lives, they contribute to the societal and national development in every field.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister touched upon the celebration of democracy across the world, in particular in India and the U.S.

“While the elections in India are over, it’s under process in the United States. The elections that were just held in India were the biggest elections so far in human history. When we see the scale of India’s democracy, we are even more proud,” he said.

Mr. Modi applauded the role of Indian Americans in making the country and community proud.

“Just yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware. His affection, his warmth, it was a moment that touched my heart. This respect is for the 140 billion Indians. This respect is for you, for your achievements, for the hundreds and thousands of Indians living here,” he said and called Indian Americans as India’s brand ambassador.

He also referred to the recently concluded T-20 World Cup in the United States.

India, he said, is now aspiring to be the third largest economy of the world from the fifth position. “Today, people of India, he said, are full of self-confidence, they have resolve and determination to achieve their goal,” he said, adding development in India has now become a people’s movement.

“Every Indian has confidence in India, its achievements. India today is a land of opportunities. It’s no longer waiting for opportunities. It is now creating opportunities,” he said, adding that in just a decade 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty.

“This was possible because we changed our old way of thinking. We changed our approach. We empowered the poor,” he told the Indian Americans. It is this new middle class, which is accelerating the development of India, he said.

An entertaining cultural performance was the main highlight of the event before the prime minister arrived. The Echoes of India – A Journey Through Art and Tradition, showcased 382 nationally and internationally known artists. Prominent among them including Grammy award nominee Chandrika Tandon, STAR Voice of India winner and superstar Aishwarya Majumdar, Instagram’s Dancing Dad Ricky Pond, and singing sensation Rex DSouuza, in a seamless experience of India’s cultural diversity.

There were unique performances by 117 artists, impressing and entertaining attendees as they enter the coliseum. Organisers said more than 30 classical, folk, modern and fusion performances will pay homage to the rich and diverse cultures of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to US started off with a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to US started off with a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. 

Watch: Quad is here to stay, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in the U.S. for the annual Quad Summit.

In his opening remarks at the summit, PM Modi said that the Quad is not against anyone, but for a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty. “Our message is clear – Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement,” he said. A free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is the grouping’s priority, Mr. Modi said, without naming any country. The leaders of the Quad group of countries met at their sixth summit-level meeting to announce a broad range of outcomes.

PM Modi in U.S. live updates – September 22, 2024

These included launching a new coast guard exercise, a logistics network, expanding maritime surveillance, and a project to combat cervical cancer.

The Quad summit holds immediate significance and takes place against the backdrop of pressing global challenges and transitions in leadership among some member nations.

Mr. Modi met U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Kishida, and Australian PM Albanese for bilateral talks before the event.

The US has handed over to India 297 antiquities during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These antiquities were smuggled out of the country and were recovered. Trafficking of cultural property is a longstanding issue that has affected many cultures and countries throughout history, and India has been particularly hit.

“Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India,” PM Modi said on X.

He thanked President Joe Biden for his support in the return of these artefacts. He noted that these objects were not just part of India’s historical material culture, but formed the inner core of its civilisation and consciousness.

With this, the total number of ancient items recovered by India since 2014 has gone to 640, officials said, adding the number returned from the US alone will be 578. This is the maximum number of cultural artefacts returned by any country to India.

Some details of the antiquities returned by the US:

Some of the notable antiquities handed over to India include an ‘apsara’ in sandstone from central India belonging to 10-11th century CE, a Jain Tirthankar in bronze belonging to 15-16th century CE, terracotta vase from eastern India belonging to 3-4th century CE, and a stone sculpture from South India belonging to 1st century BCE-1st century CE.