PM Modi in US highlights: Private dinner with Biden marks PM's day-2 visit

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to deepen defense and technology cooperation between their countries during Modi's official visit to the White House, despite lingering concerns about human rights in India.

The White House also said that as the official gift, the president and first lady will present Prime Minister Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century.

They will also gift 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 president, the first lady and the prime minister gathered for an intimate dinner and enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India, according to the White House.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Deputy Chief of Protocol Aseem Vohra were seen entering the White House.

The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter, reported Reuters.

India is a "world player" as well as the net exporter of security and stability, US' National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said on Wednesday and adding that he is looking forward to deepening the relationship. Read more

Today, US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and PM Modi enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India, performed by youth dancers from Studio Dhoom, a DMV-based Indian dance studio that helps connect a new generation to the vibrant culture of Indian dance: The White House

Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology, global leaders in semiconductors on Wednesday (local time) met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the meeting with him was "excellent."

"I had an excellent meeting with PM Modi. I am very impressed with the vision that he has for India and the advances that India is making. We discussed a wide range of topics and we really look forward to greater opportunities in India," said Mehrotra.

PM Modi arrived in Washington DC from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters. Read more

Freedom Plaza near the White House in Washington bore a colourful look on Wednesday as Indian diaspora community members organised a cultural extravaganza in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in the American capital. The events were held outside the Willard InterContinental hotel, where the PM will be staying after his experience at Lotte New York Palace Hotel. Read more

First Lady Jill Biden said after years of strengthening ties, the US-India partnership is deep and expansive as the two countries jointly tackle global challenges.

She also previewed to the media the menu of the State Dinner being hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi by her and US President Joe Biden.

US First Lady Jill Biden offered a sneak peek into the upcoming State Dinner for prime minister Narendra Modi, scheduled for Thursday. Speaking to reporters a day before the event, she said that the menu would feature millet dishes in addition to gourmet specialities created in accordance with Prime Minister Modi's culinary tastes. Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President of the United States Joe Biden at The White House, in Washington, DC.

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to promote millets, First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, has included millet-based dishes in the State Dinner to be held in his honour.

Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology, says "I had an excellent meeting with PM Modi. I am very impressed with the vision that he has for India and the advances that India is making. We discussed a wide range of topics and we really look forward to greater opportunities in India..."

"India is already exporting security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, and they are contributing to the Indo-Pacific quad. India is a world player and a net exporter of security and stability, and we look forward to deepening that and seeing that continue to prosper," says John Kirby.

John Kirby, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications, says “The kinds of things that the two leaders will be discussing over the next couple of days are very future-focused, because this is going to be a defining partnership for the next 10-15 years at least. In the next couple of days, we are going to be talking about defence cooperation, cyber, space, resilient supply chains, climate change...It's all about improving and deepening this bilateral relationship with India. It really is a forward-looking, future-focused discussion.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology in Washington.

"PM Narendra Modi & First Lady of the US Jill Biden participated in a unique event focused on promoting vocational education and skill development among youth. PM & the First Lady discussed collaborative efforts aimed at creating workforce for the future. PM highlighted various initiatives undertaken by India to promote education, research & entrepreneurship," tweets MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

Guest Chef Nina Curtis gives details on the State Dinner hosted for PM Narendra Modi.

"...We are very excited that India is leading efforts to celebrate the international year of millet. We have incorporated marinated millets into our menu" she says.

"After dinner, we will have the opportunity to hear one of our nation's incredible talents - Grammy award winner Joshua Bell. His performance will be followed by Penn Masala - a South Asian acapella group from the University of Pennsylvania who are bringing a little piece of my hometown to the White House along with songs inspired by the sounds of India..," says Jill Biden.

"...Tomorrow night, guest will walk across the South Law into a pavilion draped in rich greens with saffron-coloured flowers at every table -- the colours of the Indian flag..," Jill Biden shares details of the State Dinner.

Prime minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, said that while the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies, India is the world's largest youth factory. Read more