US President Joe Biden on Thursday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the relationship between India and the United States is “one of the most defining relationships” in the 21st century.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi was formally welcomed at the White House, Joe Biden stated that the US and India are collaborating closely to combat poverty, increase access to healthcare, and address climate change. “PM Modi welcome back to the White House. I am honoured to be the first to host you here on a State visit,” Biden said.
People will remember that Quad bent the course of history, he remarked, referring to it. “With your cooperation, we have strengthened the Quad for a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Decades from now, people will look back and say that the Quad bent the arc of history for global good,” he further said.
A warm hug was exchanged between the US President and PM Modi at the formal greeting. “India and US are working closely on eliminating poverty, expanding access to healthcare, addressing climate change and tackling food and energy insecurity triggered by the Russian war on Ukraine,” US President said.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arranged a ceremonial welcome for PM Modi when he arrived at the White House. Prior to having high-level discussions to further advance the expanding Indo-US strategic cooperation in fields including defence, space, renewable energy, and vital technologies, PM Modi and President Joe Biden will meet one-on-one in the Oval Office of the White House.
PM Modi was welcomed by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden as he arrived at the White House lawns wearing a traditional white kurta pyjama paired with a powder blue jacket. The US group that greeted PM Modi included Vice President Kamala Harris, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu, NSA Ajit Doval, and the Indian team, led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, were also present. Thousands of people gathered on the South Lawns of the White House to welcome PM Modi as the national anthems of the US and India played. Later today, the prime minister will also speak before a joint meeting of the US Congress.
Members of the Indian community and other visitors gathered on the White House lawns to welcome the Prime Minister. Images showed massive crowds of people screaming “Modi, Modi” while waving Indian and American flags.
