Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that his trip to the United States will mark a new chapter in bilateral strategic ties.

He said, the United States is a vital partner of India's development and is looking forward to meeting President Barack Obama in Washington on the 29th and 30th of this month.

In a statement before leaving for the United States on a five-day visit to attend the UN General Assembly session in New York, the Prime Minister said, he will discuss with Obama how to take Indo-US ties to a new level in the interest of the two countries as well as of the world. The two leaders are meeting for the first time.

In New York, Modi will deliver his maiden address at the UN General Assembly on Saturday and call a stronger global commitment and more concerted multilateral action in addressing challenges of fragile global economy.

He will also concerted multilateral action to deal with turbulence and tension in many parts of the world, growth and spread of terrorism, Ebola health crisis in Africa, climate change and eradication of poverty.

Mr Modi will have a stopover in Frankfurt tonight and will reach New York tomorrow and later proceed to Washington on the 29th.