PM to visit US, Egypt next week, lead yoga day event at UN HQ

After visiting the US, he will travel to Egypt on June 24-25, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced Friday.

The visit to Cairo, the first by Modi as Prime Minister, comes weeks after Egypt skipped the G20 working group meeting in Srinagar along with China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

India and the US are working towards making progress on some of the deliverables: a possible fast-track system to grant regulatory approvals that can overcome export controls in the US system. There is a proposal to cooperate on the semiconductor supply chain, and a couple of big-ticket announcements are expected to take place during the visit.

Modi’s visit to the US will commence in New York where he will lead the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the headquarters of the United Nations on June 21.

“I am looking forward to participating in the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations @UN with Prime Minister @NarendraModi at the UNHQ North Lawn next week,” President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly Csaba Korosi said in a Twitter post.

Responding to Korosi on Twitter, Modi said, “Looking forward to seeing you at the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UNHQ. Your participation makes the programme even more special.”

“Yoga brings the world together towards furthering good health and wellness. May it keep getting more popular globally,” he said.

In another tweet, Modi shared a set of videos, titled ‘Yoga with Modi’, depicting the various ‘Asanas’.

“Yoga holds profound benefits for both body and mind, fostering strength, flexibility, and tranquillity. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and further wellness as well as peace. Sharing a set of videos depicting the various Asanas,” he said.

In December 2014, the UN General Assembly had adopted a resolution proclaiming June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

“The Prime minister will thereafter travel to Washington D.C., where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22, and meet President Biden to continue their high-level dialogue. President Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden will host a State dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening,” the MEA said in a statement.

It said Modi will address a joint sitting of the US Congress on June 22 at the invitation of Congressional leaders, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and Speaker of the Senate Charles Schumer.

On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“In addition to the official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several curated interactions with leading CEOs, professionals and other stakeholders. He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora,” the MEA said.

In the second leg of his two-nation visit, Modi will travel to Cairo to pay a State visit to Egypt from June 24 to 25.

The visit is at the invitation of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt, which he extended to Modi in January when he attended the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi as chief guest. This will be Modi’s first visit to Egypt as Prime Minister.

“Apart from his talks with President El-Sisi, the Prime Minister is likely to interact with senior dignitaries from the Egyptian government, some prominent Egyptian personalities, as well as the Indian community in Egypt,” the MEA said.

“Relations between India and Egypt are based on ancient trade and economic linkages as well as cultural and deep-rooted people-to-people ties,” it said.

During the State visit of President El-Sisi to India in January, it was agreed to elevate the relationship between the two countries to a strategic partnership.