India (Commonwealth Union)_ Distinguished guests ranging from industrialists to politicians graced the state dinner held at the White House, hosted by US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event also saw the presence of industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, and renowned Indian-origin business executives, namely Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Indra Nooyi, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Notable Indian government representatives in attendance included Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
The guest list further encompassed Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and US envoy to India Eric Garcetti. Other notable figures present at the state dinner included Indian-origin US representatives Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, and renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Vice President Kamala Harris, who would be hosting a luncheon for Prime Minister Modi, was also among the attendees.
Members of the Biden family, including Hunter Biden, Ashley Biden, James Biden, and Naomi Biden Neal, were present during the dinner. The evening also provided an opportunity for prominent celebrities such as Billie Jean King and Ralph Lauren to interact with Prime Minister Modi. Noteworthy personalities from the entertainment and media industries, including M. Night Shyamalan, Netflix Inc. Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, James Murdoch, and others, were in attendance as well. During the dinner, Prime Minister Modi jestingly remarked that Americans can now dance to the tune of ‘Naatu Naatu’ while Indians opt for Spiderman and Halloween costumes.
For the State Dinner, US First Lady Jill Biden collaborated with guest chef Nina Curtis and the White House culinary team to curate a delectable menu. The royal menu included lemon-dill yogurt sauce, crisped millet cakes, summer squashes, marinated millet and grilled corn kernel salad, compressed watermelon with tangy avocado sauce, stuffed portobello mushrooms, creamy saffron-infused risotto, and a delightful rose and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake.
Nina Curtis expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are very excited that India is at the forefront of celebrating the International Year of Millet. To honor this, we have incorporated marinated millets into our menu.” Overall, this visit symbolizes the pinnacle of friendly bilateral relations between the two sovereign nations. Prime Minister Modi initially visited the US in 2014 with a mission in mind, and his presence at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly marked a significant milestone in his tenure.
