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This
weekend, his followers can expect a flurry of photos with tech
leaders as he visits Silicon Valley and is due to meet with
executives from Google Inc, Facebook Inc, Apple Inc and Tesla
Motors.
Much of his agenda, aimed at deepening ties with the U.S. tech
sector, will also focus on connecting with Silicon Valley's
Indian diaspora.
While Modi is likely to be received like a rock star in an area
that is home to many of the world's biggest high-tech firms,
some groups have protested his arrival and urged tech companies
to boycott the visit.
The groups include Sikhs for Justice, which has called on its
members to picket Facebook headquarters during a Facebook town
hall, and the Alliance for Justice and Accountability.
Modi has been criticized for not doing enough to stop 2002
religious riots in the Indian state Gujarat that killed about
1,000 people, mostly Muslims, when he was chief minister of the
state. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Modi is the first Indian leader to visit the U.S. West Coast in
more than 30 years. His trip follows one by Chinese President Xi
Jinping, who met with several tech leaders in Seattle earlier
this week.
The Indian leader has said he sees the digital economy as
crucial to bringing more growth and tech jobs to India.
Modi boasts an average 87 percent approval rating in India and
he has more than 30 million "likes" on Facebook and 15 million
Twitter followers, making him the second-most followed world
leader after U.S. President Barack Obama.
On Saturday, he was scheduled to attend a dinner with 350
business leaders to discuss the world economy and its impact on
India.
Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai and Shantanu Narayen, the
Indian-born CEOs of Microsoft Corp, Google and Adobe Systems
Inc, respectively, were among those due to moderate a panel
discussion before Modi delivers a speech at the dinner.
Modi is also expected to meet with Apple CEO Tim Cook and visit
Tesla headquarters. On Sunday, he was to visit Facebook and
Google headquarters before appearing at an event at the San Jose
Convention Center.
(Reporting By Yasmeen Abutaleb; Editing by Tom Brown)
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