UNSC reforms, investors meet to be key focus during PM Modi’s US visit

As world leaders prepare to gather at the United Nations to celebrate its 70th anniversary celebrations, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has listed the agenda for his US trip. Mr Modi is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session on Sustainable Development where the session will adopt the post 2015 development agenda. He is scheduled meet US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the UNGA session on September 28 for bilateral talks.

Speaking about his visit Mr Modi said, “On 24 September 2015, I will commence my visit to USA. This visit seeks to build on the substantial ground covered during my last visit to USA and President Obama’s visit to India early this year. I am going to USA at a historic moment when the United Nations is celebrating its 70th anniversary. India attaches great importance to the United Nations. In July, I had written a letter to heads of governments of 193 nations outlining India’s vision for UN agenda and reforms. I am glad that leaders of several nations wrote back appreciating our vision.”

Mr Modi will also address the summit hosted by Mr Obama on Peacekeeping. India has contributed the largest number of troops to UN peacekeeping missions since its inception. It has contributed over 180,000 Indian troops till date, more than from any other country. “We are proud of our peacekeeping forces spread across the world, ensuring peace in difficult circumstances. I will pay homage to all those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for peace. And I look forward to sharing my thoughts on how to make peacekeeping more effective,” Mr Modi said.

Speaking about the UNSC Reforms Mr Modi reiterated that India will host a summit of G-4 leaders later this year in New York where the agenda would be reforming the Security Council. The G-4 countries comprise India, Brazil, Germany and Japan. The four countries who’ve been pushing for a permanent membership in the UNSC received a shot in the arm recently when the UNGA members, by consensus, approved text-based negotiations to reform the Security Council.

Shifting focus to investments, Mr Modi said, “I will have interactions with leading investors and financial sector firms. There will be a working dinner where major Fortune 500 companies will be present to deliberate on investment opportunities in India. We have been interacting with several American business leaders over the last year and the outcomes have been encouraging.” Mr Modi would be meeting investors in New York and California, which is the home of tech giants. Mr Modi would be a part of an event called ‘India-US Start-up Konnect’, where Indian startups will showcase their innovations.

Mr Modi would also be a part of a grand event organised by the Indian diaspora in San Jose. This event is expected to be on par with the Madison Square event organised last year during Mr Modi’s visit to US. The US is home to more than 3 million strong Indian diaspora.

Author Profile

India Writes Network: India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.