NEW YORK: A large number of Tibetans came out on Sunday morning to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he came to address an event at the Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City. The event was attended by a sell out crowd of 20,000 Indian Americans.  The Tibetan welcoming reception was organized by the Tibetan Association of New York and New Jersey and regional chapters of the Tibetan Women’s Association, and Tibetan Youth Congress.

Tibetans came out dressed in Tibetan attire; raised Indian, US and Tibetan flags; and carried banners and posters welcoming the Indian leader. They even performed a traditional Tibetan yak dance and mingled with Indian Americans who too came out to support their leader. A few fortunate Tibetans were later invited into the MSG arena to watch the Prime Minister’s address.

“We came to welcome Prime Minister Modi Ji. Tibetans are grateful for everything that the government and people of India have done for Tibet and Tibetans. Thank you India”  said Sonam Gyatso, President of Tibetan Association of New York and New Jersey.

Kaydor Aukatsang, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas, thanked New York and New Jersey Tibetans for participating in the welcoming event and wished the Indian Prime Minister a successful first official visit to the United States.

Prime Minister Modi arrived on a 5 day visit to New York and DC on September 26.  He addressed the UN General Assembly and is also scheduled to visit Washington, DC where he will meet with President Obama and leaders of the US Congress.

Report filed by: The Office of Tibet, US