Stepped-up security ahead of Indian prime minister's Nassau Coliseum address

Hardening potential security targets around Nassau Coliseum continued Friday as county, state and federal law enforcement prepared for Sunday's sold-out Uniondale address by Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi.

The Nassau County Police Department was anticipating heavy traffic and potential slowdowns Sunday on streets near the Coliseum. Modi, criticized over the years for far right policies blamed for inciting violence against religious minorities, is also expected to draw protesters.

Gates to the Coliseum will open at 6:30 a.m. Sunday and security, led by the Secret Service and Nassau County police, will remain in place following Modi's speech.

Indo American Community of USA, the organizers, had received 24,000 registration requests for the event, dubbed, "Modi & US Progress Together," and issued assigned seating at the 16,000-seat Coliseum, according to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Doors to the Coliseum open at 7:30 a.m., Blakeman said.

"As you can imagine, this was an incredibly popular ticket to obtain," he said. "If you do not have a ticket, you will not be allowed in."

The Indian prime minister’s visit comes days after former President Donald Trump held a rally at the Coliseum that drew thousands and led to temporary road closures, including entrances to the Meadowbrook Parkway. Police have not specified any closures Sunday, citing security concerns for Modi’s motorcade.

Modi's Sunday address will mark another effort aimed at bringing attention to Long Island's Indian American community that included June's T-20 Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park. The well-received event include a marquee matchup between cricket powerhouses, India and Pakistan.

"With India being one of the largest economies in the world, the relations between the U.S. and India could be very beneficial," said Harry Singh, CEO of Garden City-based Bolla Oil and a leader in bringing Modi to the Coliseum.

"We see a future as the country of America dealing with country like India ... to have a very bright future and a relationship to be built," Singh said. "It's a great way, bringing him here and making sure we have the opportunity to do our trades and hopefully future friendly relations as well."

Several protests are also planned at the Coliseum, which officials said will be allowed in designated free speech zones.

"We always have free speech zones at all of our major events where we anticipate that there will be opposition and counter protesters," Blakeman said. "So there will be provisions made for that. We are aware that it could be a large amount, and we are prepared for that."

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.