Excitement to welcome PM Modi in US ::: India's Foreign Secretary Kwatra says: "....a key component that has been a very strong pillar of our relationship has been strong trade and investment partnership"

India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra says: "....a key component, which has been a very strong pillar of our relationship has been strong trade and investment partnership. 

"Whether you look at the quantum of bilateral trade, touching close to $200 billion, or the strong flow of capital on both sides. Three, the technology component…and technology component interfaces with many other domains. So technology itself interfaces in the telecom area, in the space area, in the manufacturing domain. 

Also, a lot of it as a triangulation of technology manufacturing and investment…a lot of this translates into that. Within the technology realm, the critical and emerging technologies has been the most recent area of focus, an area which presents itself with really very exciting opportunities for bilateral engagement in months and years ahead. 

The next key component, which will also be showcased prominently during the visit is the bilateral defense cooperation. It has been a critical pillar of our engagement. "

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The big takeaway of PM Modi’s visit to the US will be the removal of barriers and regulations to facilitate India’s emergence as a fulcrum of global technology supply chains. #the two sides are expected to sign a pact on the setting up of semiconductor supply chains in India, which will help reduce increased global dependence on China for semi-conductor manufacturing.

In Egypt, the Prime Minister will visit the al-Hakimi mosque, which was renovated and restored by the Bohra community. 

The Prime Minister’s visit to Egypt is at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi who was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations this year. This will be Modi's first visit to Egypt as the Prime Minister.

PM 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 would like to join the vibrant and important Indian community in my home state in saying welcome to Washington D.C., Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister's state visit is a significant moment in the India-US relationship," New Jersey Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez said. 

"One of the key components of the visit which will be prominently showcased will be defence cooperation," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said. 

Modi and US Vice Prez Ms Kamala

Award-winning international singer and actor Mary Millben will be performing in New York and Washington during the official state visit of  the Prime Minister.

"I am excited to welcome Prime Minister Modi... The US-India relationship is one of the most important in the world. We are looking forward to hearing Prime Minister Modi address the joint session of Congress," Buddy Carter, serving in Georgia's 1st Congressional District, said in his video message. Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US includes a state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and his address to the Joint Session of Congress. 

He will also address an invitation-only gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington on Friday.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit is an opportunity to deepen our collaboration in areas such as Trade, Defence, Technology, Healthcare which will shape the future trajectory of our relations," Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith said.

Congressmen Greg Landsman and Don Bacon said that the visit is an opportunity to strengthen democratic values in India, the US and across the world.

"The largest and oldest democracies will have (a) great opportunity to strengthen our bonds. We share common threats and believe in common values," Congressman Don Bacon said.

Congressman Gregory Meeks, who serves the Fifth Congressional district of New York, said that India-US relationship will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.

Meeks said he wants to see the two nations work in unison to advance peace and prosperity.

"I look forward to hearing from the Prime Minister during our joint meeting of Congress on his vision for India, for India's relationship with the US, and I see us work together to advance peace, prosperity, democratic values and stability in the Indo-Pacific," Meeks said concluding his message with 'Jai Hind'.

Responding to the video messages, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar thanked all the lawmakers and senators, and expressed confidence that the bilateral ties "will keep growing from strength to strength" with their support.

Mary Millben 

Congressman Frank Pallone, who founded the Congressional Caucus on India in 1993, has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US is another opportunity to appreciate Indian-Americans and their contributions to the community.

"I am really looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington... Many years ago, I founded the India Caucus and we have seen a steady increase in activities between the US and India... shared values between the two countries like democracy, market economy," Pallone said in a video message shared by the Indian Embassy in the US.

Pallone represents the 6th district in New Jersey, which boasts of over a million Asians with Indian-Americans making up the largest ethnic group.

Upendra Chivikula was the first Indian-American elected to the New Jersey legislature in 2001 and since then, South Asians -- forming 5 per cent of the population -- have had electoral success throughout the state.