PM Modi announces new Indian consulates in Boston, Los Angeles

New Delhi, Sep 23:Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the second day of his visit to the United States, addressed a large gathering of the Indian community at an event in Long Island, New York.

Over 15,000 people attended the event, showcasing the warmth and enthusiasm of the Indian diaspora towards their homeland.

In his speech, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the vital role of the Indian American community in strengthening the bond between India and the United States. He acknowledged their contributions and called them a “living bridge” between the two nations. He said, “The India-US relationship is enriched by the Indian American community, which plays a pivotal role in fostering ties between the two democracies.”

Reflecting on his meeting with President Joe Biden, which took place at the latter’s home in Delaware the previous day, Modi emphasized the depth of the relationship between India and the U.S. He referred to this meeting as a symbol of the “bridge of trust” built by the Indian community in America.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister greeted the audience with a cheerful, “Namaste U.S.! Now even our ‘Namaste’ has gone multinational,
transitioning from local to global, and it’s all because of you.

Every Indian who holds Bharat close to their heart has made this possible.” Prime Minister Modi spoke about his vision for a developed India, or “Viksit Bharat,” by the year 2047. He mentioned that the world’s largest democratic exercise, the recent general elections in India, had given him a historic third term. This, he said, was a mandate to continue working for India’s progress with even greater dedication.

Modi highlighted the transformative changes that have taken place in India over the past decade. He spoke about the creation of next-generation infrastructure, pulling 250 million people out of poverty, and India’s impressive economic growth. “We have gone from being the 10th largest economy to the 5th largest, and now we are aiming to become the third largest economy in the world,” he stated.

India’s Role on the Global Stage

Prime Minister Modi underlined India’s growing role as a major contributor to global growth, prosperity, peace, and security. He said that India was actively involved in addressing global challenges like climate change and was making significant contributions to global innovation, supply chains, and filling global skill gaps. “Today, India’s voice resonates deeper and louder in the global arena,” he added.

The Prime Minister announced the opening of two new Indian consulates in the U.S.—one in Boston and another in Los Angeles. He also announced the establishment of a Thiruvalluvar Chair of Tamil Studies at the University of Houston. These initiatives, he said, would further strengthen the “living bridge” between India and its diaspora in the United States.

Connecting with the Diaspora

Addressing the audience, Modi reminisced about his earlier visits to the United States before he became the Prime Minister. He said, “You’ve come here from far and wide. Some faces are familiar, while others are new. Your love is a great honour for me. I recall the days when I wasn’t a PM, wasn’t a CM, wasn’t a leader at all. Back then, I used to come here as an inquisitive traveller, eager to see and understand this land, carrying many questions in my mind. Even when I held no official position, I had already toured almost 29 states in America.”

He spoke fondly of his past interactions with the Indian diaspora and how he had always understood the strength of the community. “You have always been Bharat’s strongest brand ambassadors for me. That’s why I call you the ‘Rashtradoot’ (nation’s emissaries). You’ve connected America to Bharat and Bharat to America. Your skills, talent, and commitment are unparalleled,” he added.

The Prime Minister spoke about the diversity and unity of the Indian diaspora. He said, “Our languages may differ, but our spirit is one: ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ (Victory to Mother India). This is our greatest strength in connecting with the world.”

America-India Relations: The AI Power

In a light-hearted moment, Modi playfully redefined AI as “America-India.” He said, “For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but I believe AI stands for America-India. This America-India spirit is the AI power of the new world, elevating Bharat-America relations. I salute all of you, the Indian diaspora.”

Reflecting on his meeting with President Biden, he shared that Biden had extended a warm invitation to his home in Delaware. He expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and said, “This honour is for 140 crore Indians, for your hard work, for the millions of Indians living here. I extend my gratitude to President Biden and to all of you.”

Modi emphasized the importance of democracy, noting the recent elections in India and the upcoming elections in the United States. He said, “Bharat and America are together in this celebration of democracy. Elections in Bharat were the largest in human history. You can imagine: almost double the number of voters as the total population of the U.S., and more voters than the entire population of Europe!”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the strength of the partnership between India and the United States, which he said was growing stronger every day. “Our collaboration is for the benefit of the world. We are enhancing cooperation across all sectors, and your convenience has been taken into account as well,” he said, referring to the consulates opening in Seattle, Boston, and Los Angeles.

PM Modi reiterated his commitment to the Indian diaspora and their role in fostering closer ties between India and the United States. “Bharat is emerging as a new catalyst on the global stage, and its influence will be felt across all sectors. The partnership between Bharat and the United States is growing stronger by the day. Our collaboration is for the benefit of the world,” he said, receiving loud applause from the audience.