PM Modi gets grand White House welcome, says ‘Honour and pride for 1.4 billion Indians’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday received a glittering welcome at the White House that he said was an “honour for 1.4 billion Indians”. PM Modi, who is holding talks with US President Joe Biden ahead of his joint address to the US Congress, also thanked him for his friendship.

"This is also an honor for more than 4 million people of Indian origin living in the US. For this honor, I express my heartfelt gratitude," hr added.

The opening ceremony for PM Modi's welcome at the White House featured violinist Vibha Janakiraman and a cappella group Penn Masala performing renditions of the superhit 'Chhaiya Chhaiya' featuring Shah Rukh Khan, as well as songs by the American group Maroon 5.

“I have visited the White House many times after becoming the PM. This is the first time the gates of the White House have been opened for the Indian-American community in such large numbers,” PM Modi said in his address on the South Lawn of the White House that also saw top leaders from both countries in attendance.

Among loud cheers from the Indian community, PM Modi was welcomed by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

“PM Modi, welcome back to the White House. ‘I’m honoured to be the first to host you on a State visit,” President Biden said in his address, calling the relationship between the US and India as “one of the most defining relationships in the 21st century”.

He added that India and the US are two proud nations bonded by three words - "we the



people" and the Indian community in the States is a bridge between the two countries. President Biden said the two countries are working closely at eliminating poverty, expanding access to healthcare, addressing climate change and tackling food and energy insecurity triggered by the Russian war on Ukraine.

After sharing a warm embrace with President Biden, PM Modi said, "I, along with the 1.4 billion people of India, wish that India's tricolour and America's stars and stripes keep flying higher and higher." The national anthems of the two countries were played at the White House during PM Modi's welcome ceremony.

PM Modi thanked President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for honouring the Indian community in the US whom he said are enhancing India's glory through their hard work and dedication. "You are the real strength of our relationship," said PM Modi while addressing the crowd. Around 7,000 people gathered on the White House South Lawn to welcome PM Modi.

The prime minister said friendship between India and the US will be instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world in the post-Covid era. "India and the US are committed to working together for the global good and peace, stability and prosperity," he added.

The two leaders will hold bilateral talks inside the White House's Oval Office followed by a state dinner. PM Modi will also address a joint session of the US Congress later. He is the first Indian prime minister to do it for the second time. The prime minister had earlier addressed the US Congress in 2016.