PM Narendra Modi to Visit Ireland, U.S. From Sep 23-29

New Delhi: In posts on Facebook, Modi said he will be going to Ireland on September 23 - in the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in almost 60 years - and hold talks with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny.

"We hope to further develop strong people-to-people and economic ties with Ireland in the years to come. In Ireland, I will also interact with the Indian community," he wrote.

On September 24, Modi will travel to the U.S. "This visit seeks to build on the substantial ground covered during my last visit to USA and President (Barack) Obama's visit to India early this year."

Noting he was going to the U.S. at "a historic moment when the United Nations is celebrating its 70th anniversary", he said that in July, he had written to 193 heads of governments outlining India's vision for UN agenda and reforms. "I am glad that leaders of several nations wrote back appreciating our vision."

In New York City, Modi will address the UN Sustainable Development Summit for formal adoption of post-2015 new sustainable development agenda. "Coming from a culture that regards harmony as central to its ethos, I am glad to have an opportunity to address this forum. The new goals are closely aligned with India's vision for sustainable development and our flagship programmes for the same."

Revealing he will also participate in a summit hosted by President Obama on peacekeeping, he noted that India has been one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces, with over 180,000 troops - more than from any other country.

"We are proud of our peacekeeping forces spread across the world, ensuring peace in difficult circumstances. I will pay homage to all those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for peace. And I look forward to sharing my thoughts on how to make peacekeeping more effective," he wrote.

Modi also said that India will host a summit of G-4 leaders in New York where the main agenda would be the UNSC reforms and the UN's 70th anniversary "is an appropriate moment for reform discussions to be accelerated" as the General Assembly has finally adopted a document that would form the basis of formal discussions on this matter.