On Thursday, The White House hosted a state dinner for Prime Minister Modi, who is a Biden supporter. The dinner was high on diplomacy and aimed to establish the Prime Minister’s standing in the larger global community. It was attended by CEOs from India and Silicon Valley, who were keen on celebrating the idea of the new India.
The Prime Minister received 15 standing ovations at the venue address. The two houses of the Senate and the Congress were present. The key points he spoke about were the democratic and shared values of the United States of America and India, and what binds these two democracies together by a common thread. Another aspect that was discussed was that India had arrived on the global scene, and the Prime Minister talked about the cultural and spiritual aspects of India, which were going broadly to the wide.
The glittering State Dinner at the White House on Thursday also witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising the crucial role Indian Americans have played in shaping both the US and India, underlining their contributions to multiple sectors and the overall development of their including high-profile figures from the tech industry and billionaire industrialists, attended the event hosted in Modi’s honour by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Prominent figures such as Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Sunder Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Tim Cook were present at the North Lawn of the White House, symbolising the strength and vitality of India-US relations. Other notable attendees included human rights activist Martin Luther King III, tennis legend Billie Jean King, filmmaker M Night Shyamalan, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Grammy award winner Joshua Bell, entrepreneur Frank Islam, and various members of the Biden administration.
During his toast, Modi extended wishes for health, prosperity, happiness, liberty, equality, and fraternity. Highlighting the deepening ties and understanding between the two countries, Modi noted the cultural exchange evident in Indian children celebrating Halloween as Spider Man, and American youth dancing to Indian tunes. He also acknowledged the growing popularity of cricket in the US, wishing the American team success in their pursuit to qualify for the Cricket World Cup in India.
Expressing his admiration for the assembly of talented individuals at the event, Modi commended President Biden, stating that the guests encapsulated the dynamism and energy of India-US relations. He celebrated the significant strides Indian Americans have made in the US, their pride in India’s values and culture, and their integration into America’s diverse society. He credited them with significant contributions across sectors like healthcare, education, research, logistics, and more.
President Biden, in his address, traced the long-standing bonds between India and the US back to the establishment of one of the first American consulates in Calcutta in 1792. He highlighted the significant presence and contributions of Indian-Americans across various fields, including arts, education, law, medicine, science, and business, as well as their increasing representation in Congress. He also noted the role they play in local communities, from Spelling Bee champions to cricket clubs.
On a similar note, during a joint session of the US Congress, Modi reiterated the significant role Indian Americans have played in strengthening the India-US relationship. He lauded their talents and contributions across various fields, extending beyond their remarkable success in the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee. Celebrating the diversity and achievements of the diaspora, he underscored their unique role in enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from space exploration to sustainability, tech, trade, farming, finance, art, AI, energy, education, and humanitarian efforts.
President Biden also acknowledged the crucial role of Indian Americans in his administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, whose journey reflects the shared values and boundless possibilities of the India-US relationship. He pointed to the record 150-plus Indian-Americans serving in key positions in his administration as a testament to their significant contributions.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, his first state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden and the First Lady, underscores the strong ties and shared aspirations between the two nations. The warmth and grandeur of the State Dinner served as a fitting tribute to the contributions of the Indian diaspora in the US, an honour, Modi emphasised, extended to 1.4 billion people of India and over 4 million people of Indian origin in the US.
The event also underscored the remarkable dominance of Indian-Americans in the US Spelling Bee, an endurance contest that has seen them win consistently over the past 20 years. Their success in this contest, along with their impactful contributions across various sectors, underscores the Indian American community’s significant role in the cultural and socio-economic fabric of the US.
