Indian prime minister seeks to connect in Silicon Valley swing

Silicon Valley, a favorite stop for American politicians, especially those with their hands out, is hosting India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, this weekend.

While the prime minister isn’t on a fundraising trip, he hopes to strengthen connections with the technology community and enlist its help in his Digital India initiative, which aims to bring Internet access to the entire nation, increase the number of technology jobs and modernize and streamline government.

The prime minister expects to pack a lot into his two days in Silicon Valley, home to many Indian American residents, technology workers and entrepreneurs.

In a recorded video welcome to Modi, he spoke of Indians’ influence on the technology revolution and the role big tech companies can play in transforming India.

Modi was expected to sit down for dinner with a host of Silicon Valley movers and shakers on Saturday night, then visit Facebook’s Menlo Park headquarters for a question-and-answer session with CEO Mark Zuckerberg that will be televised in India.