PM's US itinerary: Address at UNGA, nearly 20 bilaterals, Houston diaspora event

The focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's week-long visit to the US from Saturday to attend the UNGA will not be on terrorism, but on highlighting India's achievements and its global role, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said Thursday.

He also asserted that abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir was an internal issue and off the agenda at the UN.

Apart from addressing the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, Modi's schedule includes a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York and a diaspora event in Houston which will also be attended by the American leader.

During his stay, Modi intends to hold as many as 20 bilateral meetings with leaders from all continents, Gokhale said, adding the meetings are being finalised.

Amidst attempts by Pakistan to internationalise Kashmir issue, especially, after Article 370 provisions were abrogated, Gokhale said,"if they wish to dwell on this issue in the speech by their Prime Minister, they are welcome to do so."