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Modi attracts thousands on historic visit to the US, calls for global front against terrorism

Updated 10.36 BST

The Indian prime minister, Modi addressed over 20,000 thousand Americans at a rally organised by the Indian American Community Foundation in Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Though Modi has been widely received, hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of New York, demanding justice for the ill-treatment of India's Muslim and Sikh communities and 1984 communal riots.

A day before Modi’s arrival a human rights group filed a lawsuit accusing the prime minister of crimes against humanity, extrajudicial killings and negligence under the Alien Tort Claims Act and Torture Victim Protection Act, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Many countries including the US, until Modi was elected as head of state, had revoked his visas for the handling of Hindu-Muslim riots in 2002 which left over 1,000 people, who were predominantly Muslim, dead.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, Narendra Modi called for increased commitment from nations in decision making so that no one group of countries can determine the course of the world.

Dismissing the need to discuss disputed territories in Kashmir at the UN, the prime minister stressed that India was looking to work positively with its neighbours, whilst calling on the world to unite to work against terrorism, reports the Times of India.

“Even today there were countries that were giving shelter to terrorist organizations and differentiating between good terrorists and bad terrorists which raised questions about their intentions and motives. We want to promote friendship with Pakistan too, but we can only talk without the shadow of terrorism over us," said Modi.

India’s Prime Minister, arrived in the US on Friday for official trip to boost bilateral trade and US investment in India.

On Saturday, the Indian Prime Minister addressed the Global Citizen Festival to end extreme poverty by 2030, in Hyde Park.

Narendra Modi, is scheduled to meet President Barack Obama this week whilst having several meetings with US business leaders.

The prime minister  has visited several community leaders including those of the Sikh and Jewish communities in New York.

Modi’s trip to the US, which has received significant funding from Indian Americans, is estimated to cost over $1.5 million.

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