New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Indian time) met with delegation of Kashmiri Pandits in Houston and hailed the government’s move of abrogating Article 370 which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

One member of the delegation kissed PM Modi's hands and said, "thank you on behalf of 7 Lakh Kashmiri Pandits.”

The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted after PM’s interaction with them: “In Houston, a delegation of the Kashmiri Pandit community met the Prime Minister. They unequivocally supported the steps being taken for the progress of India and empowerment of every Indian.”

The community members submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Modi, and requested that a task force/advisory council from our community be established under MHA to bring together community leaders, subject matter experts and key stakeholders to help in development of plan to repatriate Kashmiri Pandits to the region.

We look forward to working with Government of India, newly constituted UTs to bring inclusive sustainable development for benefit of all. We look forward to returning home in order to restore Kashmiri civilization’s core values of peace, pluralism, religious freedom, it stated.

Surinder Kaul, representing Kashmiri Pandit community, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI: "PM told us you've suffered a lot and together we've to build new Kashmir. Our youth presented him the messages that the community have prepared for him. I presented a memorandum on behalf of the community. He gladly accepted that."
“We thanked him on behalf of the 700,000 Kashmiri Pandits all over the globe for such a historic decision. We assured him that our community will work with the govt to fulfill your dream for a Kashmir which is peaceful, full of growth where people are all happy,” he said.

PM Modi also met a delegation of Sikhs and members of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Members of the Dawoodi Bohra community also met the PM and felicitated him by draping a traditional 'angvastram' around his shoulders.

"The Dawoodi Bohra community felicitates PM @narendramodi in Houston. They recall Modi's visit to Indore last year to attend a programme of their community as well as highlight Modi's association with Syedna Sahib," the PMO said in another tweet.

Modi also met members of the Sikh community who cheered him and placed an orange 'angvastram' around his shoulders in a mark of felicitation.

"Here is now the Sikh community in Houston welcomed PM @narendramodi. The Prime Minister interacted with the members of the community, during which they congratulated PM Modi on some of the pathbreaking decisions taken by the Government of India," the PMO added.

The Prime Minister is on a seven-day visit to the US. On Sunday, he is scheduled to address over 50,000 Indian diasporas at the mega 'Howdy Modi!' event, where even Trump will share the stage with the Indian leader.

(with inputs from agencies)