Ahmedabad, 30 September 2014

“Kem Cho Mr Prime Minister,” US President Barack Obama asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while welcoming him at the door of the White House.

US Vice-President Joe Biden, secretary of state John Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, USAID chief Shah are among invitees at Obama’s dinner for the PM, Ministry of External Affair’s spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

At dinner being hosted by President Obama, the PM is accompanied by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, NSA Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Sujatha Singh and US envoy S Jaishankar according to Syed Akbaruddin

PTI reported that vision statement for the US-India strategic partnership is: “Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go”.

There was an unprecedented level of security in and around the White House and Blair House, the official guest house of the US President, in view of the two recent security breaches.

The dinner is being held in Blue Room of the President’s official residence.

First Lady Michelle Obama is not present at the dinner according to PTI.

It is believed that PM Modi will gift a special edition of the book, ‘Bhagwad Gita According To Gandhi’ to US President Barack Obama. The book is based on talks by the Mahatma between February and November 1926. During this period, Gandhi was translating the Gita into Gujarati. He would meet followers almost daily at Ahmedabad’s Satyagraha Ashram to discuss the Gita’s meaning. This book is the transcription of those daily sessions.

Earlier US deputy secretary of state Bill Burns received PM Narendra Modi at Andrews Airforce Base in Washington.

64-year-old Modi, who arrived in the US on Friday, has been observing Navratra fasts which started on September 25, has been only taking lukewarm lime water.

Meanwhile Indian community members outside White House performed Garba, Bhangra in honour of PM Modi.

The Indian community eagerly awaiting the arrival of Prime Minister Modi at Joint Base Andrews.

Prime Minister’s arrival at Washington DC

Also read: Important highlights of MEA briefing on Modi-Obama dinner meet