Indian Prime Minister to preside over International Yoga Day festivities at United Nations headquarters on June 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a visit to the two countries from June 20-25 including the United States and Egypt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday, June 16, 2023. The main "state visit" A visit to the United States is scheduled for June 21-23, followed by a similar visit to Cairo.

Mr. Modi's visit to the United States will begin in New York, where he will preside over International Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters on June 21. Initiated in 2014, International Yoga Day has become one of the main events in the annual calendar of the United Nations.

"The Prime Minister will then travel to Washington DC, where he will receive a welcome ceremony at the White House on June 22 and will meet with President Biden to continue their high-level dialogue," an MEA statement said. . President Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honor of the Prime Minister later that same evening," the MEA said in a statement. Modi will then address the joint session of the US Congress.

The welcome ceremony was followed by a lunch co-hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. According to the official statement, Mr. Modi will meet with a number of CEOs, experts and "other stakeholders" during his time in New York and Washington DC. Mr. Modi, who has met with members of the Indian community during his recent visits to the United States, will meet with members of the Indian community during his time in the United States.

Visit Cairo
Modi's "state visit" to Egypt is a response to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's visit in January this year. Mr. El-Sisi, who hosted this year's Republic Day festivities here as the main guest, invited Prime Minister Modi during his stay. “The relationship between India and Egypt is based on ancient trade and economic ties as well as deep cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges. During President Sisi's state visit in January 2023, the two sides agreed to upgrade their relationship to a 'strategic partnership'," the official statement read.

Prime Minister Modi will meet members of the Egyptian government, celebrities and members of the Indian community in Cairo.