New York:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing thousands of expat Indians in New York today, said as India’s first Prime Minister born after Independence, he could not give his life for the country, but he could certainly “live for the country”.  

PM Modi, who is in the US to attend the Quad summit, spoke to thousands of cheering, applauding Indians at Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum — a programme much like his hugely successful “Howdy Modi” community event of 2019, held in Texas.

At the glittering “Modi And US” event, in an address garnished with glittering cultural events, PM Modi said when the freedom movement was on, thousands of people had offered up their lives.

“I could not lay down my life for Swaraj (self rule). But I have decided that i will dedicate my life to Su-raj (good governance) and a prosperous country… I was very clear about this mission from Day One,” PM Modi said.  

“I never thought I would become chief minister, but when I did, I became Gujarat’s longest-serving Chief Minister,” he said.

“Then people gave me a promotion and made me PM. But what I have learned by travelling the country is what has made my governance model so strong. In this third term, I am moving ahead with three times more responsibility,” he added.

In the  address, PM Modi covered multiple current events — from the recently concluded Lok Sabha election to the return of 350-plus Indian artifacts by the US government.

Calling the expat Indians the country’s ambassadors (‘Rashtradoot’), the Prime Minister thanked them for the respect India has earned in that country.

The patriotism Indians hold in their hearts, he said, “helps us be peaceful, law abiding global citizens… what makes India proud of its children and makes the world realise that India is the world’s ‘Vishwa-Bandhu’.”

“It is our Indian values and culture that makes us One,” he added.
 

New Delhi:

The US and India plan to elevate bilateral technical, financial, and policy support to expand complementary manufacturing capacity for building on existing clean energy cooperation between the two nations, according to the White House.

The announcement on Saturday came after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden at Greenville, Delaware.

Prime Minister Modi is in the US on a three-day visit.

To launch the partnership for establishing a “shared, resilient, and cutting-edge techno-industrial base” centred on innovative clean energy manufacturing techniques, the US and India are “working to unlock USD 1 billion in new multilateral finance through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for projects, including catalysing India’s domestic clean energy supply chain buildout”, the White House said in a statement.

The partnership will look to expand complementary US and Indian manufacturing capacity for clean energy technologies and components and lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in third countries, with a focus on partnerships in Africa.

This effort will build on existing clean energy cooperation between the US and India, including clean energy initiatives launched during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US in 2023, and the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership led by the US Department of Energy and Government of India ministries, among other initiatives.

The US-India partnership “sets a strong example for the world and positions our countries to lead clean economic development in the 21st century,” the statement said.

“The United States and India share an enduring commitment to deepen our collaboration on issues of shared national and economic security. As an important aspect of our economic growth agendas, we are committed to working together to capture the benefits of the clean energy transition, including the creation of high-quality jobs for our populations, acceleration of clean energy deployment globally, and achievement of global climate goals,” it said.

“Over time, we seek to mobilise additional financing into priority clean energy manufacturing sectors that harness public and private financial tools and pioneer innovative financial vehicles to meet the rapid demand for flexible climate finance solutions,” said the White House.

Noting that the United States and India intend to work with relevant government agencies, civil society and the private sector to identify a package of pilot projects across the clean energy value chain, it said that the two nations also pledge to work with industry leaders on the following lines of effort to launch and eventually scale this new partnership.

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

Wilmington, US:

US President Joe Biden has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the United States supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for India in a “reformed” United Nations Security Council (UNSC). President Biden’s statement came during the Quad Leaders Summit attended by PM Modi, Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida and Australia’s Anthony Albanese on Sunday. 

The Quad leaders vowed support to reform the UNSC through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership. In a joint statement, the leaders said that the India-US partnership “is vital to the success of efforts to build a cleaner, inclusive, more secure, and more prosperous future for the planet.” 

President Biden commended India’s leadership, particularly PM Modi’s role in the G-20 and the Global South and acknowledged the PM’s recent visits to Poland and Ukraine. The discussion around India’s potential inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC is part of a larger conversation about reforming global institutions to reflect current geopolitical realities. India, with its large population, expanding economy, and active role in international peacekeeping and diplomacy, has long advocated for such reforms. 

“The Leaders reaffirmed their support for the freedom of navigation and the protection of commerce, including critical maritime routes in the Middle East where India will assume co-lead in 2025 of the Combined Task Force 150 to work with Combined Maritime Forces to secure sea lanes in the Arabian Sea,” the joint statement added.

During the Quad summit, PM Modi reiterated the importance of a “free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” PM Modi highlighted several initiatives, including collaborations in health security, emerging technologies, and climate change, aimed at addressing global challenges. He described the Quad as a “force for global good,” committed to fostering cooperation for the benefit of all.

The US and India are working together to expand clean energy manufacturing and strengthen their technological and industrial bases. The Biden administration has announced plans to unlock $1 billion in new multilateral financing through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for clean energy projects in India. 

Prime Minister Modi announced a $7.5 million grant for cancer testing, screening, and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region. The grant forms part of India’s broader ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision, which seeks to share India’s expertise in healthcare and provide assistance in areas such as radiotherapy and capacity building.

The US and India also announced advancements in technology and defence cooperation. The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) continues to strengthen strategic ties between the two nations in key technology sectors, including semiconductors. A new semiconductor fabrication plant will be established, supported by India’s Semiconductor Mission and a partnership with US companies like Bharat Semi and 3rdiTech.

In defence, the two countries have deepened industrial cooperation, with projects such as the co-development of unmanned surface vehicle systems by Liquid Robotics and Sagar Defence Engineering.