New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted this morning (22nd Jan) about a joint radio address with US president Barack Obama, who is arriving on Sunday morning for India’s Republic Day celebrations.
“This month’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episode will be a special one, where our Republic Day guest @BarackObama & I will share our thoughts together,” PM Modi tweeted.
“I am eagerly looking forward to the special ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme with President @BarackObama, which will be aired on 27th January,” he said in another tweet.
The joint radio address is part of the “special moment” that US and Indian officials have been discussing, in the league of the spontaneous visit to the Martin Luther King memorial that was taken when PM Modi visited the White House late last year.
The PM addresses the nation every month with a radio speech titled “Mann Ki Baat (From the Heart).”
In a series of tweets with the hashtag #AskObamaModi, PM Modi has invited public participation.
“Mann Ki Baat’ with President @BarackObama will not be complete without your participation! Send your Qs till the 25th, using #AskObamaModi,” he posted.
“#AskObamaModi & be a part of this memorable ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, illustrating a special bond between India & USA.”
He has also tweeted a link to the public forum created by his office for feedback and said, “Additionally, MyGov gives you the opportunity to post your questions on a specially created Open Forum.”
When PM Modi visited the US last year, a joint statement with Mr Obama was titled “Chalein Saath Saath” (Moving Forward, Together) and pledged a deeper economic and strategic partnership between their countries. The leaders also co-wrote an editorial for The Washington Post.
President Obama will be the first US President to serve as Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations that mark the day when the Constitution was adopted.