Hopeful of opening new chapter, Modi leaves for US

In a statement prior to his departure for the US, Modi said he views the US as a "vital partner for our national development."

Describing America as India’s “vital partner”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday embarked on his first visit to the U.S. confident that his five-day trip will mark a “new chapter” in bilateral strategic ties.

Seeking to promote India as open for business and to mend ties with the U.S. after a bitter diplomatic row last year, Mr. Modi said he was looking forward to meeting President Barack Obama in Washington over two days.

The Prime Minister said he will discuss with Mr. Obama how Indo-US ties can be taken to a “new level” in the interest of the two countries as well as of the world.

Mr. Obama will host a rare private dinner for Mr. Modi at the White House on September 29, so as to establish a personal relationship with the Indian leader ahead of summit talks the next day. The two leaders are meeting for the first time.

The Prime Minister is expected to have only tea and lemonade at the dinner as his U.S. visit coincides with the Navratri fast which he religiously observes every year.

“I will discuss with President Obama how we can use the strength of all that we share and all that we have built so far to take our relationship to a new level in the interest of our two countries and the cause of this world. I am confident that the visit will mark the start of a new chapter in our strategic partnership,” he said in a statement before he took off on a special Air India plane.

Mr. Modi will have a stopover in Frankfurt tonight and will reach New York tomorrow and later proceed to Washington on September 29.

“I see the United States as a vital partner for our national development, drawing especially on the rich possibilities of partnership in education, skills, research, technology and innovation — and, above all, a shared commitment to human values.

Working together, and with others, we can bridge the many divisions of our times and contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, secure, sustainable and prosperous world,” the Prime Minister said.

The case involving Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade last year had escalated into a full—blown diplomatic spat between India and the U.S., casting a shadow on their ties.