PM Narendra Modi's speech at Madison Square Garden was full of vision: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the Indian community at New York's Madison Square Garden, saying it was exceptional, phenomenal and full of vision.

"It was something which we had never heard of or seen in the past. Today Mr. Narendra Modi categorically and emphatically mentioned on the land of the United States that 'the 21st century is the century of India, that India would be surging ahead and I promise that I would deliver as you had wished from me'," said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.

"He also mentioned that India in fact (is) one of the oldest civilizations of the world, is the youngest nation today and we would be supplying the workforce of the tomorrow. Democracy, demography and demand are the three most component which will compel India into the growth surge that we would see in the years to come. It was exceptional in the sense that the crowd was cheering him every moment, the crowd was supporting his vision and today in fact he took a promise from the NRIs that you all have to come to India and fall in love with your motherland," he added.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi, however, said that there was nothing new in Prime Minister Modi's speech.

"There was nothing new in the speech that he made. Whatever he has been saying in India, he said the same in America," said Alvi.

"People clapped for him especially when he mentioned Ahmedabad. I think it was a managed program," he added.

Alvi further said that he did not like that the Muslim delegation was made to sit separately during the Prime Minister's address.

Addressing the Indian diaspora at a historic event at Madison Square Garden in New York, Prime Minister Modi exhorted Indians to join in the development effort as a mass movement.

"I am going to make an India of your dreams," the Prime Minister said as he exhorted the Indian American community to join in the development effort for India.

Prime Minister Modi said that following the election results, there has been a renewed sense of hope and expectation about India. He said all Indian Americans today wanted to renew their links with India.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the unique combination of three great strengths that India has: democracy, demography and demand. He said that for India, democracy is not just a system of governance, but an article of faith.

The Prime Minister said winning the election is a huge responsibility and he will leave no stone unturned to make India a developed country.

Prime Minister Modi said that the country now had the capability, the possibility and the opportunity to make the 21st century India's century. He said India is both the youngest nation and oldest civilization on earth.

The Prime Minister referred to the talent of Indian youth, as exemplified by the success of Mars Orbiter Mission.

Prime Minister Modi invited the Indian diaspora to share their suggestions through the platform MyGov.in.

The Prime Minister unveiled a series of facilitation initiatives aimed at making travel from America to India easier.

Noting that there are certain differences between the PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) schemes, he said the PIO cardholders will be granted visa for life, and a new scheme will be announced soon, merging the two schemes.

He said there would be no need for long-stay visitors to India to visit police stations.

Prime Minister Modi also announced long term tourist visas for American citizens and said visa on arrival for American tourists will be announced soon.