LEAD

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) call for a Bharat Bandh on Monday, to mark the first anniversary of the three controversial farm laws getting Presidential assent, has garnered support from all sections of the society, including political parties.

Many Opposition parties have expressed their support to the bandh — while Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has supported the bandh, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav has announced that he will participate in the nationwide strike. The Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments, too, have declared complete support to the nationwide strike. Congress has also said that it will be joining the protests on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the strength of India's diverse and vibrant democracy during his address at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday (September 25). 

In his opening remarks, PM Modi said that a child of a tea seller is "addressing UN for the fourth time", calling it the strength of Indian democracy. 

Further in his speech, Modi said, "I represent a country which is known as the 'Mother of Democracy'. India is a great example of a vibrant democracy. Our democracy is recognised for its diversity. Democracy has been India's great tradition since thousands of years." 

PM Modi arrived in New York after attending his first in-person Quad summit with leaders from Australia, Japan and the US in Washington. The Prime Minister also met US President Joe Biden for their first bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House. 

In his meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his vision for the India-US relationship in this coming decade.

PM Modi redefined the contours of India-US ties through five T's -- Tradition, Talent, Technology, Trade, Trusteeship. He highlighted how their bilateral relations are steeped in a rich tradition of working together.

PM Modi significantly highlighted talent -- seen as his unwavering faith in the youth of these two nations to drive this transformative relationship. He also appreciated the contributions of the Indian diaspora in the US and emphasised the people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called US Vice President Kamala Harris an inspiration and invited her to India during the first in person meeting between the two leaders at the White House on Friday. He also congratulated the US Vice President and said that said her election was an “important and historic event”.

“Your election as vice president of the US has been an important and historic event. You are a source of inspiration for many across the world. I am confident that under Pres Biden and your leadership our bilateral relations will touch new heights,” PM Modi said during the meeting, a news agency reported.

“Continuing on your journey of victory, Indians would also want you to continue that in India and wait for you to come to India and therefore, I extend to you an invitation to visit India,” he said.

PM Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that he will focus on pressing global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, need to combat terrorism and climate change in his UNGA address on September 25.

As he left for the US on Wednesday morning, Modi said in his departure statement that he will look to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in his bilateral summit with President Joe Biden and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The PM also said he was looking forward to meeting vice president Kamala Harris to explore opportunities for cooperation between the countries, particularly in the area of science and technology.