Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for his landmark visit to the US on Tuesday morning. Though Modi has been to the US on numerous occasions before and met President Joe Biden on the sidelines of multilateral events, this is the PM's first state visit to the US.
A state visit holds more significance than other official visits and is seen as the highest form of bilateral exchange. According to experts, a state visit is reserved for 'closest allies or friends', and Modi's US visit is expected to strengthen ties and improve key strategic partnerships in the areas of technology, defence and clean energy. The state visit to the US will involve more pomp and glamour, with elaborate ceremonies including the 21-gun salute and exchange of diplomatic gifts, besides bilateral discussions and agreements. President Biden will welcome the PM at South Lawn of the White House with the gun-salute in the presence of over 7,000 Indian-American attendees.
The highlight of the state visit is the state dinner, to be hosted by the US President and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House, on June 22. The state dinner is meticulously curated keeping in mind the guest's culinary restrictions, while blending in heritage of both the countries. According to reports from US media, renowned plant-based chef Nina Curtis has been chosen as the state dinner's chef.
Modi is the third global leader, after France's Emmanuel Macron and South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol, to be invited by Biden for a state visit and dinner.
Modi's schedule
The PM is on a tight schedule during the four-day trip to the US. This involves meetings with Indian expats and business leaders, a special International Yoga Day session and a rare address to the joint session of the US Congress. This is the second time Modi addresses the US Congress, making him the first Indian prime minister to do so twice.
Modi will begin his engagements from New York on Wednesday, where he will lead the Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters. Hundreds of Indian-Americans are expected to gather along iconic locations in the US to welcome the PM. Modi will head to Washington on the same day when Biden and his wife Jill Biden will host a private dinner for the PM, ahead of the state dinner on June 22.
Later on June 23, US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host a state luncheon. PM Modi will also address Indian-American community leaders at the Reagan Centre, and will meet members from think tanks, young entrepreneurs, businesspersons at the Kennedy centre.
Modi will depart from the United States on June 24 and travel to Egypt's Cairo where he would be on a state visit on June 24-25.