Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House, where they exchanged gifts during a private dinner. PM Modi presented President Biden with a handcrafted sandalwood box containing a silver idol of Lord Ganesha, a diya (oil lamp), and ‘Das Danam,’ symbolizing donations made when a person reaches the milestone of 80 years and eight months. He also gifted President Biden a copy of the first edition print of the book ‘The Ten Principal Upanishads’. To First Lady Jill Biden, PM Modi gave a 7.5 carat eco-friendly green diamond, placed in a box made of paper pulp.
In return, President Biden and the First Lady gifted PM Modi a handmade, antique American book galley, a vintage American camera, a hardcover book of American wildlife photography, and a signed, first edition copy of ‘Collected Poems of Robert Frost’. The exchange of gifts highlighted the cultural exchange and friendship between the two nations.
PM Modi’s visit to the United States included a grand record-setting yoga session at the UN headquarters in New York and meetings with CEOs, intellectuals, and academics. He is the third Indian Prime Minister to receive a state visit invitation, which signifies the highest form of expression of friendly ties and is reserved for closest allies. A separate State Dinner hosted by President Biden and the First Lady was planned for the following day, with approximately 400 guests expected to attend.