Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama would discuss a range of issues of mutual interest, including ways to accelerate economic growth and bolster security cooperation to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership when they meet here. “They will also focus on regional issues, including current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, where India and the US can work together with partners towards a positive outcome,” the White House said.
“The President looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to fulfil the promise of the US-India strategic partnership for the benefit of both our citizens and the world. They will discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world,” it said. Ahead of their first formal meeting on Tuesday, Obama will host a private dinner for Modi at the White House Monday night.
To be attended by a small group of invitees, the dinner hosted by Obama would be held in Blue Room of the White House. The Blue Room is used for receptions and receiving lines, and is occasionally set for small dinners. The President would be joined by the Vice-President, Joe Biden, secretary of state John Kerry and national security advisor Susan Rice among others for the dinner. Modi would be accompanied by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, national security advisor Ajit Doval and Indian ambassador to the US S. Jaishankar among others. Modi, who is on navaratra fast, would not eat.
Obama is hosting this rare dinner for the Prime Minister as a mark of respect of the visiting dignitaries and also to acquaint and establish a personal rapport with Modi. Before heading to White House on Tuesday, Modi would visit the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and Gandhi statues in front of the Indian Embassy, where the Indian-American community is expected to be present in large numbers.
On Tuesday, the local Indian-American community has decided to celebrate the Modi-Obama meeting with a cultural programme in front of the White House. As Obama hosts Modi for dinner, the local Indian-American community would organise “Dandiya Raas” and “Garba” with live music outside the White House to welcome the Prime Minister to America's national capital and for his maiden meeting with the US President.
