‘Your love is my good fortune,’ PM Modi tells Indian diaspora in New York

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Sep 22) addressed the Indian diaspora at a mega event in New York. 

PM Modi started his address by expressing his gratitude towards Indian diaspora, saying their love brought ‘good fortune’ to him.

“I have always understood the capabilities of the Indian diaspora. I understood it even when I held no official position…For me, you all have been strong brand ambassadors of India. This is why I call you ‘Rashtradoot’..,” Modi said.

“You have connected India to America and America to India. Your skill, talent, and commitment have no competition. You might have come seven seas apart, but no sea has that much depth that it can distance you from India. What Maa Bharati has taught us, we can never forget that. Wherever we go, we accept all as family. To understand diversity, to live diversity is in our veins,” the Indian leader stated.

PM Modi said AI meant American-Indian spirit to him, calling the duo ‘the AI power of the world’.

“For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but for me, AI also means American-Indian spirit. This is the new ‘AI’ power of the world….I salute the Indian diaspora here,” Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora.

Earlier, event organisers said more than 500 artists will perform during the event at the Nassau Coliseum. 

More than 15,000 community members had arrived at the venue to witness the grand event from 42 different states of the US.

People could be seen holding posters reading ‘Welcome Modi’ in several languages as they awaited the Indian PM at the venue. 

A community member was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, “It is a historical event in Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, New York. It looks like we are celebrating Diwali here… 15,000 Indian diaspora have come here in New York from 42 different states.”

PM Modi earlier said it would be a ‘delight’ to interact with the Indian community in US. “The Indian community has distinguished itself in the USA, making a positive impact across diverse sectors. It’s always a delight to interact with them,” wrote the Indian leader on X.

PM Modi is on a three-day visit to the US. On Saturday, he participated in the Quad summit along with leaders from the US, Japan and Australia.

He also addressed a Cancer Moonshot event, an initiative aimed at enhancing measures to combat cervical cancer, hosted by Biden on the sidelines of the Quad Summit.

(With inputs from agencies)