PM Modi's eventful visit to Washington: Dinner with Bidens and US Congress address await
Washington, June 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States continues with a packed schedule that includes significant meetings and engagements. After leading a yoga event at the United Nations building in New York to mark International Yoga Day, PM Modi arrived in Washington for the next leg of his trip.
Here are the key highlights of his visit:
Ceremonial Welcome: PM Modi received a warm welcome at the Andrews Air Base in Washington, where he was greeted with a ceremonial welcome and guard of honor. The national anthems of both India and the United States were played during the ceremony. Expressing his gratitude, PM Modi tweeted, "Reached Washington DC. The warmth of the Indian community and the blessings of Indra Devta made the arrival even more special."
White House Dinner: President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a vegetarian dinner at the White House in honor of PM Modi. The White House was adorned with peacocks and lotus blooms, symbolizing the close ties between the two countries. The first course of the dinner featured a grilled corn kernel salad with tangy avocado sauce. The main course included portobello mushrooms and creamy saffron-infused risotto, while rose and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake awaited the guests for dessert.
Meetings with Industry Leaders: PM Modi's schedule in Washington includes meetings with prominent industry leaders and CEOs. Speculation is rife about potential significant announcements that could be made during these meetings. Among the business leaders PM Modi will meet are Sanjay Mehrotra, the CEO of Micron; H. Lawrence Culp Jr., the CEO of GE; and Gary Dickerson, the chief of Applied Materials.
UN Yoga Event: Before heading to Washington, PM Modi led a grand yoga event at the United Nations building in New York. The event was attended by luminaries from various fields, including science, art, entertainment, academia, and politics. Notable personalities present at the event included New York Mayor, Grammy winner Ricky Kej, singer Falguni Shah, actor Richard Gere, and UN officials.
Guinness World Record: The yoga event organized by PM Modi and his team set a new Guinness World Record. The event witnessed the participation of yoga enthusiasts from 135 different nationalities, surpassing the previous record of 114 nationalities. PM Modi highlighted the universality and unifying nature of yoga in his address, emphasizing its accessibility to people of all backgrounds, faiths, and cultures.
Joint Address to US Congress: A significant highlight of PM Modi's visit will be his address to a joint-sitting of the US Congress. This will be his second address to such a gathering, a rare honor bestowed upon world leaders. PM Modi's previous address to the US Congress in 2016 was widely appreciated, and his upcoming speech is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties between India and the United States.
Engagements in New York: Prior to arriving in Washington, PM Modi had a productive stay in New York. He received a grand welcome from the Indian diaspora and held meetings with Nobel laureates, academicians, industry leaders, authors, mathematicians, and medical professionals. These engagements showcased India's growing influence and partnership with various sectors globally.
PM Modi's visit to the United States holds immense significance as it aims to deepen the strategic partnership between India and the United States, foster bilateral trade and investment, and enhance collaboration on various global issues. The interactions with President Biden, industry leaders, and the address to the US Congress provide a platform to discuss and strengthen mutual cooperation on key areas of interest.
Also Read: 'Yoga is free from copyrights', says PM Modi as he addresses Yoga Day 2023 event at UN Headquarters
- With inputs from agencies
