Following are the to foreign stories at 2030 hours

FGN34 US-INDIA-OFFICIAL PM Modis visit will affirm deep, close partnership between India and US White House Washington The Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US will strengthen the shared commitment to a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region and affirm the deep and close partnership between the two largest democracies of the world, the White House said hours before the formal welcome ceremony for the Indian leader on the White House lawns.

FGN106 INDOUS-MODI **** India, US take pride in their diversity; institutions in both countries based on democratic values: Modi Washington: The societies and institutions of both the US and India are based on democratic values and both countries take pride in their diversity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the ceremonial welcome at the White House ahead of his official talks with US President Joe Biden. **** FGN105 PM-BIDEN-TALKS **** Prime Minister Modi meets President Biden at White House Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday and the two leaders would discuss a wide range of issues of mutual and global interests to further boost the growing Indo-US strategic relations in areas like defence, space, clean energy and critical technologies. **** FGN94 INDOUS-BIDEN **** Indo-US ties 'one of the most defining relationships' in 21st century: Biden Washington: The relationship between the US and India is one of the most defining relationships in the 21st century, American President Joe Biden said on Thursday as he welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House ahead of their official talks. **** FGN25 US-WHITE HOUSE-DINNER 2NDLD MODI **** US President, First Lady host intimate dinner for PM Modi at White House Washington: US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House, signalling the warm friendship between the two countries. **** US-INDIA-GE-LD TEJAS **** GE Aerospace inks pact with HAL for joint production of fighter jet engines in India Washington: In a landmark announcement, GE Aerospace on Thursday said it has inked a pact with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce fighter jet engines for Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk-II -- Tejas.

FGN42 CHINA-RESTAURANT-3DLD EXPLOSION **** 31 killed in massive explosion at barbecue restaurant in China, nine held Beijing/Yinchuan: At least 31 people were killed and seven others injured when a massive cooking gas explosion ripped through a barbecue restaurant in northwestern China on the eve of the Drago Boat festival, official media reported on Thursday. **** FGN72 US-H1B LD VISA **** US set to introduce in-country renewable for H-1B visa: official Washington: The US is set to introduce in-country renewable H-1B visas, a significant decision that would help thousands of Indian professionals staying in the country to continue with their jobs without the hassle of travelling overseas for the renewal of their work visas. **** FGN34 US-INDIA-OFFICIAL **** PM Modi's visit will affirm deep, close partnership between India and US: White House Washington: The Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US will strengthen the shared commitment to a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region and affirm the deep and close partnership between the two largest democracies of the world, the White House said hours before the formal welcome ceremony for the Indian leader on the White House lawns. **** FGN80 US-HALEY-MODI **** Nikki Haley welcomes PM Modi to Washington Washington: India is an ally that shares US' democratic values and the friendship between the two nations is personal, Indian-American Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said on Thursday as she welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the state visit. **** FGN74 US-STATE VISIT-SIGNIFICANCE **** US state visit needs about six months of meticulous planning, displays best of American hospitality Washington: A US state visit, an honour given to the closest friends and allies, involves about six months of meticulous planning by the White House and displays the best of American hospitality.

FGN70 US-MODI-WHITE HOUSE-LD DIASPORA **** Indian diaspora gathers at South Lawns to witness PM Modi's official welcome at White House Washington: The Indian diaspora turned out in exponential numbers on a rainy Thursday morning at the South Lawn of the White House to witness the ceremonial welcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by President Joe Biden on his first state visit here. **** FGN11 US-MODI-LD CEO MEET **** PM Modi invites Micron to boost semiconductor manufacturing in India Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited American chip maker Micron Technology to boost semiconductor manufacturing in India as the country provides competitive advantages in various parts of the product's supply chain. **** FGN3 US-STATE DINNER-JILL BIDEN **** After years of strengthening ties, US-India partnership deep, expansive: Jill Biden Washington: First Lady Jill Biden said after years of strengthening ties, the US-India partnership is deep and expansive as the two countries jointly tackle global challenges. **** FGN36 US-INDIA-ARTEMIS ACCORDS **** India to sign Artemis Accords, send joint mission to ISS says White House Washington: India has decided to join the Artemis Accords, which brings like-minded countries together on civil space exploration, and NASA and ISRO have agreed to a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024, the White House said Thursday. **** FGN35 US-INDIA-DRONES **** Biden and Modi to announce the deal on armed drones: White House Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden will on Thursday announce a mega deal on the purchase of General Atomics MQ-9 ''Reaper'' armed drones by India, the White House has said, a move which would further bolster India's national security and surveillance capabilities not only in the Indian Ocean but also along the frontier with China. **** FGN32 US-INDIA-CONSULATES **** US intends to open consulates in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and India in Seattle: White House Washington: The US will open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad while India will establish a mission in Seattle to boost people-to-people relationships, a senior White House official said on Thursday. **** FGN26 US-MODI-4THLD NSF VISIT **** 'Pipeline of talent' needed for India, US to maintain momentum of growth: PM Modi Washington: To maintain the momentum of growth, a ''pipeline of talent'' is needed for India and the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an event here to highlight the two nations' shared priorities around education and workforce. **** FGN24 BIZ-US-PM-DIAMOND **** PM Modi gifts eco-friendly lab-grown diamond to US First Lady Jill Biden Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in the US for a three-day state visit, has gifted an eco-friendly lab-grown 7.5 carat diamond, placed in Kashmir's exquisite Papier mache box, to the US First Lady Jill Biden. **** FGN23 MODI-BIDEN-GIFT **** PM Modi's gift to President Biden highlights India's traditional respect for experience Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted US President Joe Biden a special sandalwood box which highlights the value and respect Indian tradition associates with experience, officials said. **** FGN14 US-STATE DINNER-LD MENU **** Marinated millet, stuffed mushrooms and risotto on White House State dinner menu for PM Modi Washington: Marinated millet, corn kernel salad and stuffed mushrooms are on the menu for 400 guests invited to the State dinner being hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House's South Lawn on Thursday. **** PY PY