Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there is unprecedented trust between the leaders of India and America.

Ahead of his historic state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the relationship between India and the US is stronger and deeper than ever before and there is unprecedented trust between the leaders of the two countries. Significantly, the invitation for state visits from the US is given only to very close allies, and this is the biggest honor from a diplomatic point of view.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the world's largest democracy also said that at a time of global turmoil, India deserves a much higher, deeper and broader role on the global stage.

The Prime Minister, who left for his first official state visit to the US on Tuesday morning, said, "We do not see India as a replacement for any country... We see this entire process as India achieving its rightful place in the world," he said.

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He said That India should be portrayed as the natural leader of the Global South, and this is the voice of the aspirations of developing countries.

During his three-day visit to the US, PM Narendra Modi will address the joint session of the US Congress for the second time, which has been a very rare achievement for world leaders before. He will meet business leaders as well as the Indian diaspora, and attend a state dinner with President Joe Biden at the White House.

An unprecedented deal on transfer of jet engine technology for state-of-the-art Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and purchase of ultra-high altitude armed drones is expected during the PM's visit to the US.

In the interview, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the growing defence cooperation between the two countries is an "important pillar of our partnership" that spans trade, technology and energy.

He called for a paradigm shift in global institutions such as the United Nations to enable them to be widely represented in a multipolar world order.

"The current membership of the Council should be evaluated and the world should be asked if it wants to keep India there," he said.

"I am the first Prime Minister born in independent India, and that is why my thought process, my conduct, what I say and do is inspired and influenced by the characteristics and traditions of my country... It gives me strength..."

"I present my country to the world the way my country is, and I present myself the way I am," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also answered questions about China amid frequent border tensions in recent years. "Peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for normal bilateral relations with China," he said.

"We believe in respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, abiding by the laws and peaceful resolution of differences and disputes... But at the same time, India is fully prepared and committed to protect its sovereignty and dignity," he said.

He also spoke on the Ukraine war, and defended India's stance on Russia amid criticism. "All countries should respect international law and sovereignty of countries... Disputes should be resolved through "diplomacy and dialogue" and not war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Some people say we are neutral... But we are not neutral, we are in favour of peace," he said. "The world is convinced that India's top priority is peace," he said.

He said he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several times. He said India will do whatever it can and "support all genuine efforts to end the war and ensure lasting peace and stability".