New Delhi, June 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning left on a six-day visit to the US and Egypt. The PM will attend programmes in New York City and Washington, including Yoga Day celebrations at the UN Headquarters and hold talks with US President Joe Biden.

In a tweet, the PM said:

“Leaving for USA, where I will attend programmes in New York City and Washington DC. These programmes include Yoga Day celebrations at the @UN HQ, talks with @POTUS @JoeBiden, address to the Joint Session of the US Congress and more.”

In a departure statement, the PM said he is travelling to the US on a State Visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. “This special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between our democracies.”

He said he looks forward to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the UN Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community.

“I look forward to this special celebration at the very location that supported India’s proposal in December 2014 to recognize an International Day of Yoga.”

He said his visit to Washington will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of the India-US partnership.

“India-US ties are multifaceted, with deepening engagements across sectors. USA is India’s largest trade partner in goods and services. We collaborate closely in science & technology, education, health, defence and security fields. The initiative on Critical & Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration to defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, Artificial Intelligence and biotech sectors. Our two countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.”

PM Modi said his discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders “will provide an opportunity to consolidate our bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF.”

He will also join President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for the State Banquet along with a number of dignitaries.

“The US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties. During my visit, I will address a Joint Session of the US Congress at the invitation of Congressional leadership.”

“Strong people-to-people linkages have been instrumental in developing the trust between our countries.”

He said he looks forward to meeting the vibrant Indian-American community that represents the best of our societies. He will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating the bilateral trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains.

“I am confident that my visit to the US will reinforce our ties based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom. Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges.”

He will travel to Cairo from Washington D.C. at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

“I am excited to pay a State Visit to a close and friendly country for the first time,” the PM said.

“We had the pleasure of receiving President Sisi as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day celebrations this year. These two visits in the span of a few months is a reflection of our rapidly evolving partnership with Egypt, which was elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ during President Sisi’s visit.”

“I look forward to my discussions with President Sisi and senior members of the Egyptian Government to impart further momentum to our civilizational and multi-faceted partnership. I will also have the opportunity to interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora in Egypt.”

The MEA spokesperson in a tweet said:

“PM @narendramodi sets off on a visit to USA and Egypt.

“In the first leg, commencing in New York and then on to Washington, a historic first Official State visit to USA with a packed program awaits.

“The visit will set the stage for further accelerating India-US partnership.”