Two human rights groups-- Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have scheduled a private screening of a BBC documentary on Narendra Modi on June 20. The screening will take place two days before PM Modi's state visit to the US, and policy-makers, journalists and analysts have been invited to it. The documentary questions the Indian prime minister's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Modi is set to reach the US on a state visit on June 21. The prime minister has visited the US multiple times in his tenure, but, this will be the first time it will be classified as a state visit. Modi will be in the US from 21 to 24.
State visits are officially described as 'visit of (name of the state) rather than 'visit of (name of the leader) since they are visits to foreign countries led by a head of state/government, acting in their sovereign capacity. In the US, state visits occur only at the invitation of the president, acting in their capacity as the head of state.
State visits usually comprise a number of elaborate ceremonies. In the US these ceremonies include greeting the visiting head of state at the tarmac or a flight line ceremony, a 21-gun salute White House arrival ceremony, a White House dinner, an exchange of diplomatic gifts, an invitation to stay at the Blair House (the US President’s guesthouse across the Pennsylvania Avenue) and flag street lining.
Modi's state visit is of great significance as it marks his first visit to the US since President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden extended the invitation. The prime minister will be hosted for a state dinner by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on June 22.
About three days before Modi's arrival, on June 18, Indian Americans across the country have announced plans for a 'India Unity Day' march to be held in 20 major cities including Washington DC, New York and San Francisco. On June 21, a cultural event has been planned at Lafayette Square Park, which is situated right in front of the White House. The event will highlight India's growth and development in the past nine years. On June 21, the prime minister is expected to lead International Yoga Day celebrations in New York, in front of the UN building.
On June 22, several thousand Indian Americans are expected to gather on the South Lawns of the White House, where Modi will be welcomed by President Biden and the First Lady with a 21-gun salute. The moment is bound to be historic as this is the first time a country-specific diaspora has been invited to the White House in such large numbers. On the evening of June 22, the Biden family will host Modi for a state dinner, which will be held in a tent.
On June 23, lunch will be held at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department. It will be hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and the Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Modi's state visit illustrates India's close friendship with the US. The visit is also an important one as it precedes India's hosting of the G20 Summit in September.
During his trip, PM Modi will be addressing a joint session of the Congress. The prime minister will also address diaspora leaders from across the country on June 23. High-tech defence manufacturing, sustainability and climate change will be topics of discussion during Modi's visit. The visit is expected to elevate bilateral ties between India and the US. There could also be collaboration in computing and cybersecurity.
