Indian Prime Minister Narendra Visits NY After 10-Year Ban

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a whirlwind three-day tour of New York, after being banned from the United States for a decade. His trip culminates with a massive reception at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

For many of his supporters, Modi's visit to America is seen as vindication. Modi led the Indian state of Gujarat, when it experienced violent Hindu-Muslim riots. His administration was accused of allowing hundreds of Muslims to die.

In 2005, the U.S. invoked an obscure law that made Modi the first — and only — foreign leader to be denied an American visa for his supposed violations of religious freedom. But India's courts cleared Modi, and this year he became prime minister, forcing the U.S. to drop its ban.

A human rights group, however, has filed a lawsuit against Modi in a Manhattan federal court, on behalf of three survivors of the Gujarat riots. Protests are also expected outside the reception being hosted at Madison Square Garden. But some observers said Modi has been absolved, and he projects a universalism that his critics fail to acknowledge.

"His words and actions in the last few years, particularly before the campaign, have been remarkably inclusive," said Vamsee Juluri, a media studies scholar at the University of San Francisco.

The Sunday reception, hosted by the Indian American Community Foundation, sold out its 20,000 seats. Observers said the event will affirm the importance of the very affluent Indian diaspora in the country's future and is part of a larger effort to reignite India's economy. Modi is also meeting with Mayor Bill de Blasio and attending the UN General Assembly.