PM Modi Leaves for US, Says 'Obama's Life an Inspiration'

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for New York on Thursday on a six-day visit focused on boosting trade and resetting ties with the USA, the world's largest economy.

In a statement ahead of his departure, Mr Modi said he was "confident that the visit will mark the start of a new chapter in our strategic partnership".

He said he looked forward to his first meeting with President Barack Obama. "His life's journey is a remarkable testimony to the rights and opportunities that democracies provide, and an inspiration for people around the world," the Prime Minister said.

He also said, "I keenly await the opportunity to meet the Indian American Community at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Their success in diverse fields, their contribution to the United States, their abiding bonds with India and their role as a vibrant bridge between the two largest democracies is a source of pride for us." (Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Statement Prior To His Departure For USA)

Mr Modi will kick off his US visit in New York, where he will address the UN General Assembly and address people of Indian origin at Madison Square Garden, a 18,200-capacity Manhattan arena.

He is scheduled to have breakfast in New York on Monday with heads of top global firms including Google's Eric Schmidt and PepsiCo's Indra Nooyi. "I look forward to meeting business leaders to invite them to participate more actively in India's economic growth and transformation," he said in a statement.

On Monday he will head to Washington.

Mr Modi headed to New York hours after launching "Make in India", an initiative to attract global manufacturing.

After he led his party the BJP to a spectacular victory in the national elections on a promise to revive the country's flagging economic fortunes, the US has repeatedly reached out to him.