PM Modi Welcomed by President Biden and First Lady Jill at the White House

Washington DC, June 22, 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly received by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House during the second leg of his official state visit. The leaders engaged in a brief conversation and posed for photographs. Later today, Modi will have a private engagement at the White House, where the Bidens will host him for an intimate dinner, ahead of the high-profile state dinner scheduled for the following day.

As a gesture of goodwill, the first couple presented Prime Minister Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th century. Additionally, President Biden gifted Modi a vintage American camera and an archival facsimile print of George Eastman's Patent for the first Kodak camera, along with a hardcover book on American wildlife photography. First Lady Jill Biden gifted him a signed, first edition copy of 'Collected Poems of Robert Frost'.

Modi expressed his appreciation for the presence of First Lady Jill Biden at the event, stating, "Honored 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."

Earlier, upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Washington DC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a ceremonial welcome and guard of honor despite the drizzling rain. Expressing his gratitude, Modi tweeted, "Reached Washington DC. The warmth of the Indian community and the blessings of Indra Devta made the arrival even more special."

Before visiting the White House, Prime Minister Modi, accompanied by Jill Biden, visited the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. The purpose of the visit was to emphasize the shared priorities of the United States and India regarding education and workforce development. During their time there, they interacted with students from both countries who are acquiring skills relevant to the economies of India and the United States.