The event titled “Modi & US: Progress Together” is set to take place on September 22 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which boasts a seating capacity of 15,000. According to the Indo-American Community of USA (IACU), over 24,000 Indian Americans have already registered to attend this major gathering, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the audience.
Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to speak at the high-level UN General Assembly session on September 26, as indicated in the UN’s provisional list of speakers. The IACU reports that registrations for the Uniondale, Long Island event have come through 590 community organizations nationwide, all of which have signed on as ‘Welcome Partners’. This includes participants from at least 42 states, with particularly strong interest from the tri-state area.
A key organizer emphasized their commitment to accommodating as many attendees as possible, noting efforts to expand seating and coordinate with Welcome Partners to ensure confirmed attendees are prioritized. The IACU describes the event as a significant occasion celebrating the diverse tapestry of the Indian American community. It will feature attendees and participating organizations representing a broad spectrum of religious communities, including Jewish, Zoroastrian, Jain, Christian, Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu, as well as numerous Indian languages such as Hindi, Telugu, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam, and Gujarati.
In addition to Prime Minister Modi’s address, the event will include cultural performances and appearances by prominent Indian Americans from various fields, including business, science, entertainment, and the arts. The IACU, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering unity within the Indo-American community through cultural events and public programs, is organizing this notable gathering.
Earlier this month, it was reported that preparations are in full swing for this Long Island event, which follows Modi’s previous large-scale community addresses, including the 2014 Madison Square Garden event in New York and the 2019 ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston, Texas, where he was joined by former President Donald Trump. Modi’s visit comes ahead of the upcoming US presidential elections, featuring a race between Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
The 79th session of the UN General Assembly, running from September 24-30, will include the General Debate, with Modi’s address scheduled for September 26. The provisional list of speakers is subject to updates as the UN finalizes schedules and speaking slots. Modi, who began his historic third term as Prime Minister in June, last spoke at the UN General Assembly in September 2021. He also participated in a Yoga Day commemoration at the UN headquarters in June 2023, followed by a State Visit to Washington DC hosted by then-President Joe Biden.
During the high-level week at the UN, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will present his report, and the President of the General Assembly will deliver an address. Additionally, the UN will host the ambitious Summit of the Future on September 22-23, where world leaders will adopt the Pact for the Future, including a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The Summit aims to forge new international consensus on creating a better present and safeguarding the future.
