For the culinary highlight, Biden was invited to an almost entirely vegetarian state banquet. Nearly 400 guests – including ministers, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege – arrived at the specially decorated White House. In honor of the vegetarian Modi, an almost entirely plant-based menu was planned. Marinated millet and grilled corn salad will start as a starter, followed by portobello mushrooms stuffed with saffron risotto and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake for dessert. Apart from that, there is also grilled sea bass as main course.

In contrast to ordinary working visits, state visits are accompanied by special formal celebrations, such as state banquets. Modi is only the third foreign guest to receive this honor during Biden’s tenure. French President Emmanuel Macron paid a state visit to the United States last December. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol followed in late April.

India has overtaken China as the most populous country. With around 1.4 billion people, it is also the world’s largest democracy and has growing political and economic influence, especially in the Indo-Pacific. The Biden administration is trying to counter China’s attempts to seize control of the region and is therefore significantly promoting partnerships with other countries in the region, including the so-called quadruple alliance with India, Japan and Australia.

criticism in an open letter

The fact that Biden rolled out the red carpet for India’s prime minister in this way also drew criticism. Modi of the Hindu nationalist BJP has been the country’s prime minister since 2014. During his tenure, India dropped several places in rankings on democracy and press freedom. Critics have complained that religious minorities are discriminated against in the Hindu-majority country.

Prior to Modi’s visit, more than 70 US politicians from the House of Representatives and Senate had expressed concern about the human rights situation in India and Biden on one occasion. Open letter encouraged to address this issue at the meeting. They warn that there are worrying signs that political rights and freedom of expression are curtailed in India, that religious intolerance towards minorities is increasing and press freedom is suffering. The White House said earlier that the President would not shy away from this difficult issue. Individual lawmakers also want to boycott Modi’s speeches to Congress because of the concerns.

Modi: “Democracy is in our DNA”

Biden said in a joint press appearance with Modi that the two had intensively exchanged views on democratic values. “We are open to each other and we respect each other.” Modi, who usually does not answer journalists’ questions at home, dismissed criticism of India’s human rights situation in Washington. “Democracy is in our DNA. Democracy is our spirit. Democracy flows in our veins,” he said, stressing that there is “absolutely no discrimination” in India, whether based on caste, creed or anything else.

Another difficult issue between the two countries is Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. India has so far taken a neutral stance on this and has not supported Western sanctions. The country has good relations with Western countries and Russia, which is heavily dependent on its military equipment. During the war, India also started buying more oil from Russia.

The US, on the other hand, is Ukraine’s closest ally in the conflict and is at the forefront of the international alliance against Russia. Modi reiterated that India’s focus is on resolving the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. “We stand ready to help restore peace in any way we can.”