Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India-US relationship reaching next level: Ambassador Sandhu

Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24

THE India-US relationship is now headed to the next level, India's top envoy has said as he emphasised that prime minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the US will have an impact not only on the two countries but also on other nations.

Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. The visit also includes an address to the joint session of the Congress on June 22.


“The relationship is now going at the next level and there are a number of aspects in this visit which are pointing towards that,” said Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to the US.

Modi will arrive in the US on June 21 after attending the International Yoga Day celebrations in New York.

“It'll also provide an opportunity to both the leaders to be able to spend time together and discuss across the board a number of issues which are of mutual interest,” Sandhu said.

“Now we are talking of actually real partnership in terms of core development, in terms of collaboration. You will see across the areas there is going to be much more cooperation and working together. This will have an impact not only for the United States and India but also for many third countries."

Vice president Kamala Harris, along with secretary of state Tony Blinken, is hosting a luncheon for the prime minister on June 23.

“Prime Minister has visited the US a number of times and each one has been a different kind of visit. There has always been some new aspect in each. But this one is an (official) state visit and it has its own special components,” he said.

Sandhu said the State Visit is the highest level of respect and regard that the US can give to India and its prime minister.

In 2016, Modi addressed the US Congress. “It was a very successful visit to the US Congress. But of course, the world has changed...So, there is a lot of added interest in India and in people, especially Congressmen and Senators. It's visible in their statements. They are very excited to listen to the Prime Minister's vision of the US-India partnership and also his views on many other aspects,” Sandhu said.

“By speaking the second time, the prime minister will actually be joining a club of very few international statesmen like Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill or the Israeli prime minister. Very few have come. But (from) the Indian side in the last 75 years, he will be the first leader to actually speak the second time to the US Congress."

(PTI)

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less