Modi acknowledges Indian Americans' role in strengthening India-U.S. ties
Modi's visit fosters friendship, cooperation, and commitment to democracy
By Vishnu Rageev RJun 23, 2023
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi commended the significant contributions of Indian Americans to the development of their host nation and the India-U.S. relationship during a state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Modi also addressed Congress on topics including human rights and trade. AAHOA leaders also attended Modi’s joint address to Congress.
Modi praised Biden for assembling a talented group that represents the energy and dynamism of India-U.S. ties. The Prime Minister highlighted the pride of Indian Americans in their values, democratic traditions, and culture, as well as their substantial contributions across sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, education, research, and logistics.
"Be it hospitals or hotels, universities or research labs, gas stations or logistics management, they are making their mark everywhere," the prime minister said.
The official state dinner, attended by over 400 guests, included prominent figures like Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries), Anand Mahindra (Mahindra Group), Sunder Pichai (Alphabet), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Tim Cook (Apple), Anthony Capuano (Marriot International) among others.
Modi raised a toast to the hosts, wishing for good health and prosperity, and highlighting the enduring bonds of friendship between India and the U.S. He mentioned the growing familiarity between Indians and Americans, the popularity of cricket in the U.S., and extended best wishes to the American team for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India.
Biden, in his remarks, traced the historic bonds between the two countries and acknowledged the presence of Indian Americans in various fields, including arts, education, media, law, medicine, science, and businesses.
Second Congress address
Prime Minister Modi's address to the joint session of the U.S. Congress received 15 standing ovations and 79 rounds of applause. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
In his second address to the U.S. Congress, Modi emphasized the enduring friendship between India and the U.S. He highlighted India's remarkable progress as the 5th largest economy, on track to becoming the 3rd largest. Modi reaffirmed the country’s commitment to democracy, sustainability, and pro-planet progress. He urged dialogue, diplomacy, and united efforts against terrorism. Modi advocated for a new world order, endorsing full membership of the African Union in the G20. He acknowledged concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirmed the bright future of the India-U.S. relationship.
Strengthening bilateral relations
Modi and Biden shake hands during the state dinner at the White House on June 22. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
Modi's ongoing visit has further strengthened India-U.S. bilateral relations and showcased India's global influence. In New York, he led the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UN Headquarters, meeting Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, the first Indian woman in that role. The event also set a new Guinness World Record.
In Washington DC, Modi received a ceremonial reception at the White House and met U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, the highest-ranking Indian American. Modi congratulated Harris and invited her to visit India.
Before the State Dinner at the White House, the Biden family hosted a private dinner for Modi on June 21.
Biden emphasized the defining bond between the U.S. and India and their shared values and historical ties. He acknowledged the significance of Modi's visit and praised the trust and respect in their relationship. Biden highlighted the collaboration through the Quad and their efforts to promote a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Both leaders acknowledged the diverse challenges they are jointly addressing, including poverty, healthcare, climate change, and the global consequences of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Biden emphasized the strategic focus on critical technologies and the importance of upholding shared values.
Biden highlighted the transformative changes occurring in various aspects of society and the capacity of both democracies to tap into talent and attract investments. The President also praised the dynamism of India and the contributions of Indian-Americans to American society.
Modi expressed gratitude for the friendship and highlighted the significance of the India-U.S. friendship in promoting global peace and prosperity. Modi regarded India-U.S. strategic partnership as a testament to the power of democracy. He expressed confidence in positive discussions and gratitude for the opportunity to address the U.S. Congress.
Simplifying visa applications
Prime Minister Modi reaches out to shake hands with Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) as he arrives to deliver remarks to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol on June 22. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
In an effort to strengthen ties between India and the U.S., the Biden administration plans to streamline the visa process for Indians seeking to live and work in the U.S., according to media reports.
As part of a forthcoming pilot program, a select number of Indian H-1B visa holders will be able to renew their visas within the U.S. itself, eliminating the need to travel abroad. This initiative aims to facilitate the entry and retention of skilled Indian workers in the country.
The program is expected to expand in the future, benefiting the majority of H-1B workers who are Indian nationals. Further details regarding specific visa types and the program's launch date have yet to be announced.
Investment proposals
Modi's visit to the U.S. is set to attract more American companies to invest in India, aiming to lessen their reliance on China for manufacturing. Official data revealed that the U.S. ranks third in foreign investments in India, with over $60 billion invested from 2000 to 2023.
Several recent investment announcements have been made by prominent U.S. companies including Tesla, Micron Technology, Boeing, Amazon, Apple, Foxconn, Cisco Systems, Walmart, General Electric, and Applied Materials.
Tesla: Modi encourages substantial investment, official announcement expected soon.
Micron Technology: $2.7 billion plan approved for semiconductor unit ahead of Modi's visit.
Boeing: Investing $24 million for airplane parts logistics center.
Amazon: Plans $13 billion investment in cloud infrastructure by 2030.
Apple: Expanding manufacturing operations, committed to investing extensively.
Foxconn: Investing $500 million in Telangana and $968 million in Karnataka, generating 70,000 jobs.
Cisco Systems: Commencing manufacturing operations, targeting $1 billion in production and exports.
Walmart: Committed to exporting $10 billion worth of goods annually from India by 2027.
General Electric: Urged to play a larger role in aviation and renewable energy sectors.
Applied Materials: Invited to contribute to India's semiconductor ecosystem and advanced packaging capabilities.
Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu, attended a Marriott reception in Washington before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the U.S. Marriott, and Indian American hotel owners are expanding their portfolios in India, tapping into the immense potential of the country's tourism and hospitality sectors. Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano was also in attendance at the state dinner.
AAHOA leaders at Modi's address
AAHOA leaders, including chairman Bharat Patel, vice chairman Miraj Patel, treasurer Kamalesh (KP) Patel, secretary Rahul Patel, and immediate past chair Neal Patel, attended the White House welcome ceremony on Thursday morning. AAHOA leaders also attended Modi’s joint address to Congress.
“The hotel industry has long provided thousands of first- and second-generation immigrants from India an opportunity to achieve the American dream of entrepreneurship,” said Bharat Patel, chairman of AAHOA. “The Biden Administration’s goals of strengthening ties with the world's most populous country and largest democracy will ultimately help advance American interests around the globe. As the largest hotel owners association in the nation, we are at the forefront of cultural and business ties between the United States and India. We recognize the importance of these relationships on both a personal and a global level.”
Marriott and BHVL plan six hotels with 940 rooms in four Indian markets.
Bengaluru-based BHVL is a subsidiary of Brigade Enterprises Ltd.
BHVL recently launched a $101.2 million IPO, including a $14.4 million pre-IPO placement.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL AND Brigade Hotel Ventures Ltd will open six hotels totaling 940 rooms across four markets in India. The projects will be developed under five Marriott Bonvoy brands: The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott.
Bengaluru-based BHVL, a subsidiary of real estate firm Brigade Enterprises Ltd or BEL led by Executive Chairman M.R. Jaishankar, signed the agreement as part of its nearly 15-year partnership with Marriott, which has produced several large projects.
The six hotels, said Jaishankar, include the Courtyard by Marriott Chennai World Trade Center; Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru International Airport; Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Brigade Valencia; The Ritz-Carlton Vaikom Island, Kerala; JW Marriott Chennai OMR; and Thiruvananthapuram Marriott Hotel World Trade Center.
“Each of these projects reflects our belief in the long-term potential of the Indian hospitality industry and our commitment to bringing thoughtfully designed hotels to both business and leisure travelers,” Jaishankar said. “With Marriott’s brands and global standards, we are confident these hotels will set benchmarks in their respective markets.”
BHVL is the second-largest owner of chain-affiliated hotels and rooms in South India among major private hotel asset owners as of March 31, according to the Economic Times. With the six upcoming hotels, along with the Sheraton Grand Bangalore at Brigade Gateway and Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark, BHVL’s Marriott portfolio will total eight hotels with 1,388 keys.
“Our growth strategy focuses on being present where our guests want us to be, as we continue to meet the demand for luxury travel and hospitality services,” said Rajeev Menon, Marriott’s president, Asia Pacific excluding China. “Today’s agreement underscores our relationship with the Brigade Group and leveraging our brand portfolio, we are confident these developments will meet the needs of travellers for every trip purpose.”
Upcoming projects
Courtyard by Marriott Chennai World Trade Center, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 45 rooms, opening fiscal year 2027.
Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru International Airport, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 224 rooms, opening fiscal year 2028.
Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Brigade Valencia, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 151 rooms, opening fiscal year 2028.
The Ritz-Carlton Vaikom Island, Kerala – 70 villas, opening fiscal year 2029.
JW Marriott Chennai OMR, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 250 rooms, opening fiscal year 2030.
Thiruvananthapuram Marriott Hotel World Trade Center, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 200 rooms, opening fiscal year 2030.
BEL has a pipeline of about 16 million square feet of new launches in the residential and commercial segments and plans to add 1,700 keys to its hotel portfolio. BHVL operates nine hotels in Bengaluru, Karnataka; Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Kochi, Kerala; Mysuru, Karnataka and GIFT City, Gujarat, with 1,604 keys. The hotels are managed by Marriott, Accor S.A. and InterContinental Hotels Group. They are in the upper upscale, upscale, upper-midscale and midscale segments.
BHVL recently launched a $101.2 million initial public offering, including a $14.4 million pre-IPO placement, Business Standard reported. Hospitality revenue in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 was $16.1 million, up 19 percent from the same period in fiscal year 2025, while EBITDA rose 34 percent to $5.5 million.
Separately, Bengaluru-based Prestige Hospitality Ventures recently secured Sebi approval for a $308 million initial public offering.
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Prestige Hospitality Ventures received SEBI approval for a $308 million IPO.
It operates hotels under multiple Marriott International brands.
As of December 2024, its portfolio included seven hotels with 1,445 keys.
PRESTIGE HOSPITALITY VENTURES recently received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India for a $308 million, or ₹2,700 crore, initial public offering. The company develops and operates luxury to upper midscale hospitality assets and is part of Bengaluru-based Prestige Group, promoted by Prestige Estates Projects.
The offer comprises a $193 million fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale of up to $114 million by promoters Prestige Estates Projects, Economic Times reported.
Prestige Hospitality Ventures, led by CEO Suresh Singaravelu, plans to use $128 million from the fresh issue to repay $45.34 million in debt incurred by itself and its subsidiaries, Sai Chakra Hotels and Northland Holding Co., while reinvesting $83 million into these subsidiaries.
Additional funds will support growth through acquisitions, strategic initiatives and general corporate purposes, the Times said.
As of December 2024, its portfolio included seven hotels with 1,445 keys—1,255 operating and 190 under renovation. It also has three ongoing projects with 951 keys and nine planned projects adding 1,558 rooms, making it the largest hotel chain in South India. The portfolio spans Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad and Chennai, covering convention centers, business hotels, extended stay residences and golf resorts.
The company operates hotels under several Marriott International brands—St. Regis, Edition, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Marriott Marquis, Sheraton, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Moxy, Aloft and Marriott Executive Apartments—as well as Conrad by Hilton and Angsana Resorts & Spa by Banyan Tree.
Marriott-managed keys account for nine percent of the group’s portfolio, the largest share under any brand. Meanwhile, revenue from hospitality services rose to $91 million, or around Rs 796 crore, in the previous fiscal year, up from $73 million, Rs 636 crore, in fiscal 2023.
IHCL and Ambuja Neotia Group aim to develop 15 new hotels across West Bengal, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.
The projects are expected to be completed by 2030.
The expansion aims to boost tourism in East and North-East India.
INDIAN HOTELS CO. Ltd. recently signed a new agreement with the Ambuja Neotia Group to develop 15 additional hotels across West Bengal, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh. Ambuja will invest approximately $240 million toward executing the projects.
The IHCL and Ambuja Neotia partnership will open Taj resorts in Sunderban and Darjeeling, West Bengal; Shimla, Himachal Pradesh; and Rabong, Sikkim. They will build SeleQtions hotels in Kolkata, West Bengal and Siliguri, West Bengal. A Tree of Life hotel will be built in Lataguri, West Bengal. The expansion will include a mix of greenfield, brownfield and conversion projects, PTI reported.
“Under this capital light arrangement, the total number of hotels, through the partnership with the Ambuja Neotia Group, will go from 28 to 43,” said Puneet Chhatwal, IHCL managing director and CEO. “What we estimate is 1,000-plus rooms will be added by the new hotels to an existing 1,500 rooms.”
Harshvardhan Neotia, Ambuja's chairman, said the recent partnership with IHCL highlights the strength and momentum of their continued collaboration.
“Northeast, the unexplored region of India, has tremendous potential for bespoke luxury travel,” he said. “The addition of premium room inventory this fiscal to Taj Chia Kutir in Kurseong as well as the upcoming Taj-branded luxury villas in Darjeeling, Lataguri and Gangtok reflects the growing demand from the segment."
The first phase includes four signed operating agreements: Taj Darjeeling, SeleQtions in Kolkata and Siliguri and Tree of Life in Lataguri. A few select projects will also include Taj-branded villas in Darjeeling, Sikkim, Lataguri and Raichak. Completion is planned over the next five years.
Recently, Tata Sons launched a new hospitality platform to support IHCL, enabling it to operate group-owned hotels on a revenue-share model while staying asset-light.
The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council and The Lalit Suri Hospitality School signed an MoU to improve hospitality education.
The collaboration reflects a broader push to invest in youth training and workforce readiness in India’s hospitality sector.
It aims to provide domain knowledge, hands-on training and certifications for domestic and international careers.
THE TOURISM AND Hospitality Skill Council and The Lalit Suri Hospitality School recently signed a memorandum of understanding to improve the quality and reach of hospitality training in India. The collaboration reflects a broader push to invest in youth training and workforce readiness in the sector.
The initiative offers students domain knowledge, practical training and certifications for national and international careers, THSC and TLSHS said in a statement.
“We are thrilled to see institutions like TLSHS champion the skilling mission,” said Jyoti Mayal, THSC chairperson. “Such partnerships are the backbone of a demand-driven skilling ecosystem that responds to industry needs and supports India’s youth—especially in tourism, one of the most people-centric sectors.”
THSC, a not-for-profit, is promoted by the Confederation of Indian Industry with representation from government, industry, associations, and training institutes across India. Faridabad-based TLSHS offers programs including a B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration, a Diploma in Food Production, and a Diploma in Bakery and Patisserie.
Jyotsna Suri, CMD of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, said the partnership aligns academic expertise with industry demand.
“At The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, we believe in building not just businesses but communities, and skilling is a key pillar of that philosophy,” she said. “By working with THSC, we are proud to contribute to nation-building through youth empowerment and skill creation.”
The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, part of Bharat Hotels Ltd., is a privately owned hotel company based in New Delhi. It operates 12 hotels in India and one in London. Its motto is “limitless hospitality.”
Radisson Hotel Group trained more than 300 individuals for hospitality roles with THSC, Job Plus, and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance marked World Youth Skills Day on July 15.
Neemrana Hotels is working with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to restore heritage sites.
The two sites are Baruasagar Fort in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, and Raja Rani Mahal in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh.
Neemrana aims to convert them into “revenue-generating non-hotels.”
INDIA’S NEEMRANA HOTELS recently signed agreements with the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states to restore and adapt heritage structures under a public-private partnership. The two sites are Baruasagar Fort in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, and Raja Rani Mahal in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh.
Neemrana aims to convert them into “revenue-generating non-hotels,” a term it uses for heritage sites adapted for hospitality without typical hotel conventions.
The Baruasagar project is scheduled for completion by 2027, while the Madhya Pradesh project is targeted for 2028, Economic Times reported.
Baruasagar Fort’s phase one includes 25 guest rooms, a restaurant, a pool, a spa, spaces for cultural activities and facilities for small destination events. Restoration of Raja Rani Mahal in Chanderi’s Inner Town will begin with 10 to 12 guest rooms and is expected to retain the site’s architectural integrity.
A project representative said the goal is to retain historical authenticity while adding functional hospitality infrastructure.
Neemrana began operations in 1991, when co-founders Aman Nath and Francis Wacziarg opened the Neemrana Fort-Palace as a 12-room hotel after acquiring it in 1986. The company, now led by Co-founder and Chairman Aman Nath and CEO Sonavi Kaicker, operates more than 15 heritage hotels across India.