Thursday 28 March 2024
 
»
 
»
Story

Modi gets rock star reception

, September 27, 2014

Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi (R) waves at people on the street in New York, US on September 26, a day before his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly.

Modi, who is on his first trip to New York as leader of the world's most populous democracy, was given a rousing welcome by the expat community.

Wearing a smart burgundy bandgala and dark trousers, the Indian Premier plunged into a large throng of madly-cheering crowd of fans here Friday evening, throwing his security detail into a tizzy, as he arrived at his New York hotel from the airport.

Several hundred people had gathered outside the hotel to cheer Modi as he arrived in a large motorcade.

Almost impulsively responding to their welcome chants of "Modi" "Modi" and placards greeting him with different messages outside his hotel, the Indian prime minister waded into the crowd and left the security officials, both Indian and American, scurrying after him.

Stepping out of his car, Modi happily mingled and being among them is an unusual gesture by a visiting VIP in a high-security city.

Responding to the tumultuous welcome, Modi on microblogging website Twitter said: “A big thank you for the warm welcome in New York! Deeply touched. Looking forward to a great trip ahead.”

Modi will be drawing perhaps the largest crowd ever by a foreign leader on US soil when he takes the stage on Sunday in Madison Square Garden before a crowd forecast to total more than 18,000 people.

Thousands more are expected to pack New York's Times Square to watch his address in Hindi on big screens as well as smaller viewing parties around the country and on TV in India.

The Indian diaspora hopes this visit by a leader who was until recently barred from the US will signify India's importance not only on these shores but in wider the world too.-Reuters




Tags: US | Modi |

More Picture of the Day Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads