Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
On Thursday, a senior White House official announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden would face questions from the media during a joint news conference.
Questions to be asked by Indian and American Journalist
White House national security spokesman John Kirby called joint press conference a “big deal”. He stated that two questions would be asked, one by an Indian journalist and one by the US press.
“We are just grateful that Prime Minister Modi is participating in a press event at the end of the visit. We think that’s important and we’re glad he thinks that’s important too,” Kirby was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Press conferences held at the White House with other world leaders have been strictly regulated, with US officials appointing reporters from the American and international media in advance for Biden and his guest to call upon, and a very small number of questions allowed.
Joe Biden hosted dinner for PM Modi
On the second leg of his first state visit to the US, PM Modi arrived in Washington where he met the First Lady Jill Biden, after which they both visited the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. Later that day, he also had a special dinner at the White House sponsored by US Vice President Joe Biden. Presents were exchanged at the meeting.
PM Modi arrived in US on Tuesday for his four-day State visit. He led the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UN’s New York headquarters. “We’ve gathered here at the meeting point of entire humanity. I am delighted to see you all and thank you all for coming. I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today. Yoga means to unite, so you are coming together is an expression of another form of Yoga,” said PM Modi. Since he assumed office in 2014, PM Modi has made five trips to the United States.
