New York: Over luke warm water for a fasting Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister spread his rock star act to captains of the US Industry and told them that a red carpet and not a red tape awaited them as he made his make in India pitch to captains of the US Industry.
“India is open-minded. We want change, Change that is not 1 sided. Am discussing with citizens, industrialists, investors,†Modi, dressed in a brown bandhgala suit, told his interlocutors. He also gifted a signed tea box to each of the CEO’s he met.
The breakfast meeting with 11 CEOs, including those of Google, Citigroup and Pepsico, was followed by one-on-one meetings with six other CEOs of companies like Boeing, IBM, GE and Goldman Sachs.The atmosphere was more composed and no revolving stages and Bollywood acts but more business like atmosphere
At his breakfast meeting, Modi interacted with 11 leading CEOs, including Google’s Eric Schmidt, David MÂ Rubenstein of The Carlyle Group, Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat, Doug Oberhelman of Caterpillar Inc, Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo and Michael Ball of US-based global pharmaceutical company Hospira Inc. and Kenneth C. Frazier of Merck and Co.
Later on Monday night, the Prime Minister will sit down for a meeting with the U.S. President Barack Obama for a private dinner at White House.
A private dinner doesn’t have the pomp and fanfare of a state dinner which is often used to connect and create a personal chemistry. Obama is keen to know Modi and vice versa and the first meeting will be essentially to break the ice where the two will set the ball rolling to take the relationship forward.
The two sides are also expected to focus on the US’ war on the jihadist group Islamic State and Obama is likely to seek support from India in drawing up an anti-terror alliance of nations. While Modi has said in his UN speech that India supports the war on terrorism in West Asia, he is unlikely to give the material support the US is seeking in terms of air strikes on IS targets.
The White House said in a statement: “They will also focus on regional issues, including current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, where India and the United States can work together with partners towards a positive outcome.”
The President looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to fulfill the promise of the US-India strategic partnership for the benefit of both our citizens and the world.”
They will discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world, it said.
During the Monday night dinner at the Blue Room of the White House the other guests expected to be are Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Advisor Susan Rice.
Modi will be accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Indian Ambassador to the US, S Jaishankar. Earlier in New York, he met the Clintons – Bill and Hillary — and congratulated them for being grandparents.Â
Modi also hosted two women leaders who have a strong India connect but the women with deep ties to India, who are are at the forefront of the emerging American leadership, gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, an insight into the American political landscape and ideas for cooperation between Washington and New Delhi. They are from opposing parties and bring very different life experiences to politics.
One, Nikki Haley born in the United States her parents are  Sikhs  from Amritsar District is a Republican elected governor of South Carolina in 2010 and at 42 years was the youngest serving head of a state government. She had worked as an accountant before entering politics.
The other, Tulsi Gabbard, is ethnically an American Samoan, but an follower of Hinduism like her mother who adopted the faith. Elected from Hawaii in 2013 at the age of 32, Gabbard became  the first Hindu elected to Congress. Also the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, she is a captain in a combat team of the Hawaii National Guard and served with US forces in Iraq.
Haley as the chief executive of a state, pitched for cooperation in business, industry and skills training. She is scheduled to lead a trade mission to India in November, Â
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akabaruddin said Modi was effusive in his praise of her accomplishments as a person of Indian origin and wished success in her political career. With her state developing the state sector and emphasising training, it could help Modi’s plans for skills development.
Gabbard serves on the House of Representatives committees on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs and they discussed cooperation in those fields, Akbaruddin said. They also looked at how India and the US could work together in fighting terrorism.
In a statement she said, “Modi’s visit marks a significant positive step toward growing the relationship between the U.S. and India, which is a bond based on shared democratic values and a focus on mutual prosperity and security. “Reacting to Modi’s speech at the community reception, she said, “It has been an honor to … hear his message of peace and friendship at his address to an energized crowd at New York’s renowned Madison Square Garden.”Gabbard, who has a deep interest in the Vedas and in yoga, supported Modi’s proposal to create an International Yoga Day. Akbaruddin said she presented Modi with the copy of the Bhagvad Gita on which she took her oath of office as a Congresswoman.