New York city mayor calls on PM Modi

The mayor of New York and the director of US National Cancer Institute called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a five-day visit to the US.

During the discussion late Friday, the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, briefed the Indian prime minister on public housing projects in the New York city, said an official statement from Prime Minister's Office.

"... the prime minister (Narendra Modi) also referred to the goal of 'housing for all' in India, and the possibility of sharing best practices for affordable housing," the statement said.

Both discussed the issue of terrorism, with the Indian prime minister saying that "India has been fighting against terror for long" to which Blasio gave a brief overview of steps taken by the New York city to tackle terrorism post the 9/11 attack.

Also, US National Cancer Institute director Harold Varmus discussed issues related to public health, sanitation, malnutrition and immunization with Modi.

Modi reached New York Friday where he was greeted by hundreds of people. He is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly Saturday.