Distinguished figures from the tech industry and billionaire industrialists, including Mukesh Ambani, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Apple CEO Tim Cook, were among the esteemed guests invited to the State Dinner held in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
The specially curated menu primarily consisted of vegetarian dishes, accommodating the dietary preferences of the visiting prime minister. Delectable offerings included marinated millets, stuffed mushrooms, grilled corn kernel salad, and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake.
The grand event took place at a beautifully adorned pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House, with over 400 guests in attendance.
During his speech at the State Dinner, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the significant contributions of Indian-Americans in the overall progress of the nation they reside in, as well as their instrumental role in strengthening the India-US relationship.
He commended the assembled guests as embodying the energy, dynamism, and potential of this special bilateral bond. Expressing gratitude to President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for hosting the dinner, he raised a toast to his "wonderful" hosts.
Prominent figures such as industrialist Anand Mahindra, corporate leader Indra Nooyi, and CEOs of Microsoft and Adobe, Satya Nadella and Shantanu Narayen, were also present at the event.
The first course featured delectable dishes like marinated millet, grilled corn kernel salad, and compressed watermelon with tangy avocado sauce, followed by the main course offering stuffed portobello mushrooms and creamy saffron-infused risotto.
Guests made special requests for sumac-roasted sea bass, lemon-dill yoghurt sauce, crisped millet cakes, and summer squashes. For dessert, guests enjoyed rose and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake.
The guest list showcased a diverse array of attendees, including human rights activist Martin Luther King III, tennis legend Billie Jean King, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Grammy award winner Joshua Bell, and entrepreneur Frank Islam. Indian-American lawmakers, such as Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, were also in attendance.
Members of the Biden family, including Hunter Biden, Ashley Biden, James Biden, and Naomi Biden Neal, graced the event, while Vice President Kamala Harris, who will host a luncheon for Prime Minister Modi, was also present.
The State Dinner also included India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, as well as US diplomats and members of the Biden administration.
