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Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome upon his arrival in New York on Tuesday for the first leg of his first official visit to the United States, during which he will lead International Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters and hold bilateral talks. With President Joe Biden in Washington.
Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will host him at a state dinner on June 22.
What is a state dinner?
A state dinner at the White House is a lavish and important event held to honor a visiting leader or monarch from another country, according to a report by White House Historical Association.
It is part of a state visit and gives the President and First Lady an opportunity to show respect and hospitality to the guest and his or her spouse. It is a way of being friendly and welcoming, similar to sharing a meal with friends to strengthen the friendship. The dinner also shows the power and influence of different nations. During dinner, leaders give formal toasts, which provide an important platform to continue the serious discussions that began earlier in the day.
In the early 19th century, dinners honoring the government of the president, Congress, or other important persons were also called state dinners, even if they did not include foreign representatives. During that time, Washington, D.C., was a small and isolated city, with only a few officials and their families living there. The report says that large receptions and dinners were rare due to the city’s secluded nature.
Over time, the capital has grown and changed. In the nineteenth century, a series of state dinners were held each winter to honor Congress, the Supreme Court, and members of the diplomatic service. More recently, the term “state dinner” refers specifically to a dinner hosted by the president to honor a foreign head of state as chief guest. The first reigning monarch to attend a state dinner at the White House was King Kalākaua of Hawaii in 1874, hosted by President Ulysses S. Grant and First Lady Julia Grant.
In 1902, the restoration of the White House provided a more suitable venue for official events. With the construction of the West Wing and the remodeling of the mansion’s state rooms in a neoclassical style, President Theodore Roosevelt had a perfect setting that represented America’s growing power and influence. During World War I, there were few simple dinners at the White House, and even the traditional New Year’s reception was abolished in 1918. State dinners continued through World War II, but with simpler food, the report explains. Franklin Roosevelt changed the guest list approach, allowing guests to attend for purposes other than social. From 1948 to 1952, while the White House underwent reconstruction, President Harry S. Truman lived at Blair House, and state dinners were held at local hotels.
The First Lady plays a crucial role
Even today, presidents and first ladies play a major role in shaping the style of entertainment in their administration. The first lady and her team are responsible for the meticulous planning and organization of the elaborate state dinner. This includes creating invitations and guest lists, designing menus, arranging flowers and table settings, determining seating arrangements, and organizing the evening’s entertainment.
The report states that the first lady works closely with her social secretary, executive residence staff, and the State Department to coordinate every detail of this very special event.
The invitation everyone wants
Amidst all this social excitement, White House Historical Association It shows that critical government work is going on behind the scenes. This includes gathering information, exchanging opinions, forming influential connections, and maintaining an image. This is why receiving an invitation to the White House is so important and sought-after in the country’s bustling social circles, the report says.
Which other Indian leaders have attended the state dinner?
Many Indian leaders have had the honor of attending state dinners in the United States. Among them, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru attended a dinner hosted by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. This historic event symbolizes the growing ties between the two countries.
Indira Gandhi, India’s first female prime minister, also attended a dinner hosted by President Richard Nixon in 1971. Her presence highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation and diplomacy. Other prime ministers who attended the state dinner included former prime ministers Manmohan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. President Ram Nath Kovind also attended a dinner hosted by President Donald Trump in June 2019.
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