Bidens host Modi for private dinner ahead of key meet

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the south portico of the White House on Wednesday evening, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were waiting to receive him. Warm greetings, a joke and some laughter later, as national security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra waited in the background, Modi and the Bidens walked in for a private dinner that America’s first couple hosted for the Prime Minister to kick off Modi’s historic state visit to the US.

- Prashant Jha

While neither side offered details on the content of the conversation — which, one can reasonably surmise, would have included the current geopolitical moment, including China’s behaviour, and the unprecedented momentum in India-US ties, including elements from the joint statement to be released late on Thursday — the evening provided an opportunity for leaders to reconnect at a personal level ahead of a busy official schedule, according to those involved in the planning of the visit.

The dinner menu included President Biden’s favourite items, including pasta and ice cream.