Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a massive gathering of the Indian community in the U.S. on September 22, 2024. The event, named “Modi & US: Progress Together,” will take place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island, New York. Over 24,000 Indian-Americans have registered to attend this event, which highlights the strong ties between India and its diaspora in the U.S. The Indo-American Community of USA (IACU) has organized this event, which marks yet another milestone in Modi’s outreach to the Indian diaspora, following his successful appearances at similar events like the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston in 2019
The Nassau Coliseum has a seating capacity of 15,000, but the high level of interest and registration has pushed organizers to expand the seating arrangements. Indian-Americans from 42 U.S. states, along with 590 community organizations, have signed up to participate in this cultural and political celebration. The attendees represent a wide spectrum of India’s religious, linguistic, and regional diversity, including communities like Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian, as well as speakers of languages like Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi, and Bengali
In addition to Modi’s address, the event will feature performances by cultural artists and appearances by prominent Indian-American personalities from various sectors, such as business, science, and entertainment. These performances underscore the contributions of the Indian-American community to both the U.S. and India. The event also serves as a precursor to Modi’s upcoming address at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 26, where he will speak on global cooperation and the future of international diplomacy
This event, which follows Modi’s previous major U.S. appearances, is seen as an effort to further solidify the relationship between India and the Indian diaspora. It also comes at a time of growing geopolitical relevance for India. Modi’s visit to the U.S. is expected to highlight India’s influence on the global stage, particularly in the context of the upcoming U.S. elections in November. With the large and influential Indian-American population, Modi’s outreach is likely to resonate beyond the community, showcasing India as a rising global power under his leadership(Republic World).
The IACU and other community leaders have expressed excitement about the event, viewing it as a historic moment for Indian-Americans. Their enthusiasm reflects a shared pride in India’s progress and the community’s growing influence in U.S. political, cultural, and economic spheres. This will be Modi’s fifth address to the Indian diaspora in the U.S., after iconic events like his 2014 speech at Madison Square Garden and the 2019 Houston rally
As Modi prepares to speak at the UNGA and engage with U.S. leaders, this gathering marks the beginning of a significant week that will include discussions on global challenges, such as the future of international diplomacy and digital cooperation. The event at Nassau Coliseum is not only a celebration of India’s cultural diversity but also a political statement, emphasizing the enduring relationship between the Indian government and its diaspora(India Today)(Republic World).
In summary, PM Modi’s engagement with the Indian-American community in New York is a key moment in his visit to the U.S., symbolizing the close ties between India and its diaspora while reinforcing his global leadership image. This event is expected to leave a lasting impact on both the Indian-American community and India-U.S. relations.
