Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday started the second leg of his US visit by greeting Indian community members upon arrival.
In Washington and visiting the National Science Foundation with First Lady of the US Jill Biden. Later, the prime minister attended a private dinner hosted by the Bidens.
PM Modi reached Washington DC on Wednesday where he was greeted with a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Andrews Air Base amid incessant rain.
The national anthems of both countries were played.
“The warmth of the Indian community and the blessings of Indra Devta made the arrival even more special,” the prime minister said in a tweet.
Here’s a recap of PM Modi’s day in Washington
PM Modi’s Day 2 began with a historic event at the UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate the International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities. From New York, the prime minister left for Washington for the second leg of his US visit.
Upon arrival in Washington DC, PM Modi was welcomed by Indian community members at Freedom Plaza. Some of the community members staged cultural programmes including ‘Garba’ and other folk dances outside the hotel where the prime minister will stay.
Later, PM Modi visited the National Science Foundation in Virginia with Jill Biden by his side. In his address, the prime minister said India’s aim is to turn this decade into a tech decade or ‘techade’. Jill Biden said the Indo-US relationship is a celebration of families and friendships that span the globe.
Ahead of the State Dinner for PM Modi, dishes that will be served were put on display. The menu, which Jill Biden described as “stunning”, includes plant-based courses of millets and stuffed mushrooms.
Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden at the White House for a private dinner. The White House said that as the official gift, the president and the first lady presented PM Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century.
They also gifted Modi a vintage American camera, accompanied by an archival facsimile print of George Eastman’s Patent of the first Kodak camera, and a hardcover book of American wildlife photography. The Bidens also arranged a garba performance for the prime minister.
During the second leg of his US visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress. He will also attend the State Dinner along with other dignitaries.
The dinner will have an Indian touch as lotus flowers will be incorporated throughout, along with saffron-hued floral arrangements that differ from table to table.