'India First' Is My Definition of Secularism, Narendra Modi Tells NRIs

But, Modi did not touch upon the controversial Wharton issue. The event organized by the Overseas Friends of BJP was planned much in advance of the Wharton controversy.

Several hundred people gathered at two places - Edison in New Jersey and Chicago to listen to Modi's speech.

In his address, Modi emphasised on skilled development of the youth “who now constitute 65 percent of the total population of the country” and asked the diaspora to help in holistic development of India - tourism being one of them.

He said that being the world's most youthful nation, it is our duty to provide skills to our youth so that they can shine.

"If we do value addition for the youth, a lot can happen," he said, adding that even the U.S. President Barack Obama stressed on skill development in his recent address.

During the speech, Modi avoided being highly critical of the UPA government at the center but compared the budget being allotted by the Center and by his Gujarat Government for the skill development of the youth of the country.

"This shows the priorities of the two governments," he said.

"I am not using this platform to criticise any government, but want to keep before you some of the facts," he said.

Invoking Swami Vivekananda and youth in his speech, Modi said "development" is the key to all the problems of the country.

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