India (Commonwealth Union)_ Today, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden graciously welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the esteemed White House. Joining them at the intimate dinner were National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his American counterpart, Jake Sullivan. Symbolizing the significance of the occasion, the Prime Minister presented President Biden with a hand-crafted sandalwood box, while the First Lady received a dazzling 7.5 carat eco-friendly green diamond as a token of goodwill.
The sandalwood box bestowed upon President Biden, who will celebrate his 81st birthday this November, contained a silver idol of Lord Ganesha, an oil lamp called a diya, and ‘Das Danam.’ ‘Das Danam’ holds great significance as it represents donations made when an individual becomes ‘Drishta Sahasrachandro,’ having witnessed one thousand full moons after completing the age of 80 years and eight months. Additionally, the Prime Minister also presented President Biden with a first edition print of the profound literary work, ‘The Ten Principal Upanishads.’
As for the precious diamond gifted to Jill Biden, it was delicately nestled within a kar-e-kalamdani box, skillfully crafted from paper pulp. In return for these thoughtful offerings, Prime Minister Modi received a remarkable gift from the Bidens—an antique American book galley, handcrafted with timeless artistry. Additionally, the esteemed couple presented him with a vintage American camera, a hardcover book showcasing mesmerizing American wildlife photography, and a personally signed, first edition copy of ‘Collected Poems of Robert Frost.’
Following his remarkable record-breaking yoga session at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Washington. His visit to New York was met with an enthusiastic reception, where he engaged in meaningful discussions with numerous CEOs, intellectuals, and academics. Notably, Prime Minister Modi is only the third Indian dignitary to be extended the prestigious honor of a state visit, a gesture reserved exclusively for the closest allies, symbolizing the utmost level of friendly relations. Such a visit entails a gracious invitation from the Head of State to their official residence.
Tomorrow, President Biden and the first lady will host a distinguished State Dinner at the White House in honor of the Prime Minister. The event is anticipated to be attended by approximately 400 esteemed guests, further highlighting the profound ties between the two nations across various domains. Overall, this visit serves as a testament to the deepening and strengthening of bilateral relations between the United States and India.
