Indian PM Modi addresses thousands at NY’s Madison Square Garden

World Today

Thousands of Indian-Americans gathered at a New York City sports arena for a speech by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is his first trip to the U.S. with an aim of improving bilateral relations. Just judging from the public reception, he’s off to a good start. CCTV America’s Ritu Dixit reports.

As many as 18,000 people attended the speech at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. At a cost of $1.5 million, it was an unusual display of glamour and dazzle for a visiting foreign leader.

Speaking for more than an hour from a rotating stage, Modi urged the thousands of Indian-Americans to help him develop India’s economy. He promised that under his leadership, India would be received positively by the international community. One of the high points of his speech was an announcement concerning visas for both Indian expats and Americans.