Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden state visit to the United States saw many firsts including a rare press conference and many big ticket announcements in defence, diplomacy and business. The US is set to introduce in-country renewable H-1B visas, a significant decision that would help thousands of Indian professionals staying in America to continue with their jobs without the hassle of travelling overseas for the renewal of their work visas.
Star-Studded State Dinner At White House
Big names in the tech world and billionaire industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Google CEO Sunder Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook were among those invited to the State Dinner hosted in the honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday. The menu, comprising mostly vegetarian dishes, taking note of the dietary restrictions of the visiting prime minister, included marinated millets, stuffed mushrooms, grilled corn kernel salad and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake.
More than 400 guests were invited for the dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a specially decorated pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House.
PM Modi, Biden Welcome Deal On 'Reaper' Armed Drones
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced the mega deal on the purchase of General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" armed drones by India. The move is seen as India further bolstering its national security and surveillance capabilities not only in the Indian Ocean but also along the frontier with China. The General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" can carry 500 per cent more payload and has nine times the horsepower in comparison to the earlier MQ-1 Predator. Moreover, MQ-9 UAV provides long-endurance, persistent surveillance, and strike capability for the warfighter.
“President Biden and Prime Minister Modi welcomed India’s plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, which will be assembled in India, will enhance the ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) capabilities of India’s armed forces across domains,” a joint statement said.
Rare Press Meet And Question On India's Democracy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a press conference during his ongoing state visit to the US said democracy is in the DNA of both India and the United States. He was addressing a joint press conference with President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday. "Democracy can deliver and when we talk about democracy, there is no discrimination on basis of caste, creed, religion," PM Modi said.
Responding to a question on climate change, PM Modi said, "We do not believe in the exploitation of nature. Of all the G20 countries, India is the only country that has fulfilled all the promises made during G20 Summit. We are working to make India a green energy hub."
Strong Stand On Terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the Joint Meeting of the US Congress where he said that there can be "no ifs or buts" in dealing with terrorism, seeking action against state sponsors of terrorism, in a veiled salvo at Pakistan. In his address, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that more than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world.
"These ideologies keep taking new identities and forms, but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror," he said in his 60-minute address in English, as quoted by news agency PTI.
PM Modi Raises A Toast To Ever-Lasting Bonds Of Friendship
Addressing the state dinner attendees, PM Modi raised a toast to the hosts Joe and Jill Biden. He said, "There is one more thing left to do tonight- please join me in raising a toast. A toast to our wonderful hosts, President Biden and Jill Biden. A toast to good health, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness, liberty, equality and to the ever-lasting bonds of friendship between India and the United States."