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Indian diaspora gives rousing welcome to PM Modi at Blair House
Members of the Indian-American community turned out in large numbers despite the chilly weather to greet the Prime Minister.
Community members greeted him with chants of / Courtesy Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic welcome from members of the Indian-American diaspora upon his arrival at the President’s Guest House, Blair House. Modi arrived at the Joint Base Andrews airbase in Maryland, on Feb.12 for a two-day visit marking the first official meeting with Trump since his inauguration last month.
Community members greeted him with chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai," "Vande Mataram," and "Modi, Modi," while waving Indian and American flags.
Expressing his gratitude, Prime Minister Modi shared on X, "A warm reception in the winter chill! Despite the cold weather, the Indian diaspora in Washington, D.C., has welcomed me with a very special welcome. My gratitude to them."
A warm reception in the winter chill!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2025
Despite the cold weather, the Indian diaspora in Washington DC has welcomed me with a very special welcome. My gratitude to them. pic.twitter.com/H1LXWafTC2
Community voices
Speaking to New India Abroad, Mahendra Sapa, a Washington, D.C., resident and member of Vishwa Hindu Parishad America (VHPA), said, "We, with folded hands, request Modi ji to ensure that, just as in 1971, the concerns of Bangladesh's minorities are addressed at the earliest."
Another attendee, a member of the Indian diaspora, emphasized the broad participation at the event. "From children to elders, Indian Americans have gathered here on this drizzling evening to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi," she said. Expressing optimism about the upcoming meeting between Modi and Trump, she added, "We are confident that this meeting will achieve greater heights, as Modi strives to make India the best and Trump works to make America great again."
Ahead of his departure, Prime Minister Modi underscored the significance of his meeting with President Trump. "Although this will be our first meeting following his historic electoral victory and inauguration in January, I have a very warm recollection of working together in his first term in building a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the U.S.," he stated.
He further highlighted the scope of the discussions, noting, "This visit will be an opportunity to build upon the successes of our collaboration in his first term and develop an agenda to further elevate and deepen our partnership, including in the areas of technology, trade, defense, energy, and supply chain resilience. We will work together for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries and shape a better future for the world."
Prime Minister Modi is the fourth foreign leader to be hosted by President Trump since his inauguration last month. In less than a month since the beginning of Trump’s second term, the White House has also welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Jordan's King Abdullah II.
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