US President, Joe Biden and PM of India, Narendra Modi
Wednesday marked the second leg of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit, and he was welcomed by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, DC. Following a brief period of conversation, they were seen posing for photos. According to the White House, the trio enjoyed a musical ode to the many parts of India performed by young dancers from Studio Dhoom.
Modi will have a private engagement today at the White House where the Bidens will host the Indian prime minister for an intimate dinner, a day before the high-profile state dinner. They will be joined by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval.
According to the White House, the first couple will give Prime Minister Modi a handcrafted, early 20th-century American book galley. Additionally, they give the prime minister other presents.
While Biden will present Modi with an antique American camera, a hardback book on American wildlife photography, and an archival facsimile print of George Eastman’s Patent for the first Kodak camera, Jill Biden will give him a signed first edition copy of “Collected Poems of Robert Frost.”
Upon arriving at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington DC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour amidst the drizzling rain.
“Reached Washington DC. The warmth of the Indian community and the blessings of Indra Devta made the arrival even more special,” Modi tweeted.
In order to underscore the US and India’s common interests in regards to education and the workforce, he earlier travelled to Alexandria, Virginia with Jill Biden to the National Science Foundation. The two met students from the US and India who are acquiring the necessary skills to excel in fields that are crucial to the economies of the two nations while on their tour.
“Honoured that @FLOTUS @DrBiden joined us in a special event relating to skill development. Skilling is a top priority for India and we are dedicated to creating a proficient workforce that can boost enterprise and value creation,” Modi said in a tweet.
