Modi US Visit: Preparation At UNHQ, 'India Unity' Rally Held In Chicago Ahead Of PM's State Visit

Starting in 2014, the International Day of Yoga has become one of the major events under the annual calendar of activities of the U.N.

Preparations are underway at the United Nations Headquarters lawns in New York ahead of the Yoga Day celebrations which will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi will preside over the 9th annual International Yoga Day On June 21 at the UN headquarters, during his official state visit to the United States. The prime minister is visiting the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden from June 20-24. Indian-Americans living in the US organised 'India Unity Rally' in Chicago to welcome PM Modi ahead of his visit.

The International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21. Starting in 2014, the International Day of Yoga has become one of the major events under the annual calendar of activities of the U.N. PM Modi in his 2014 UN address suggested June 21 to be celebrated as the Yoga day as it is the longest day of the year in the northen hemisphere, reported news agency PTI.

After the yoga day celebration in New York, the Prime Minister will then travel to Washington D.C., where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22, and meet Biden to continue their high-level discussions.

After the yoga day celebration in New York, the Prime Minister will travel to Washington D.C., where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22, and meet Biden to continue their high-level discussions.

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden later in the day will host a State Dinner in honour of PM Modi, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The Prime Minister will then address a Joint sitting of the US Congress on June 22 at the invitation of US Congressional Leaders, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and Speaker of the Senate Charles Schumer.

On June 23, he will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and State Secretary Antony Bilnken.

Apart from the official engagements, PM Modi is scheduled to have several curated interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders. He will also meet members of the Indian Diaspora, reported PTI.

Kamaljeet Singh Soni, a Member of the Sikh diaspora in the United States while expressing his joy of meeting the PM said, "We are very enthusiastic to greet PM Narendra Modi here. We have been waiting & we are ready to welcome him as a world leader… Modi hai toh Mumkin hai!"