Page 29 - White House

Modi, Biden share light moments at dinner amid praise for Indian-Americans

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the stellar achievements of Indian-Americans in his remarks at the state dinner in which he had his high-profile guests often in laughter. Both President Joe Biden and Modi regaled their guests with some light moments while also being generous to each other, with the prime minister ending his speech with a toast to his wonderful hosts, including first lady Jill Biden, and the bond between the two countries. With Modi having a busy day attending several events, he said he had forgotten the count of speeches he made on Thursday. Apparently referring to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol who surprised guests by singing a song during a similar state dinner hosted for him in April, Modi said Biden's hospitality has moved his guests to sing, evoking laughter from the guests. He then wished that he too had the singing talent that "I could have also sung a song." Modi recalled that during a dinner hosted for him in 2014, he could not eat anything as h

'Indian Americans played significant role'..., says PM Modi during dinner

PM Modi also said that the State dinner evening has become quite special by the presence of the people of the two countries, as he called them most precious assets

Apple, Google, Microsoft CEOs among those invited for PM Modi's dinner

Big names in the tech world, film and fashion industry as well as billionaire industrialists were among those invited to the State Dinner hosted in the honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday. The menu, comprising mostly vegetarian dishes, taking note of the dietary restrictions of the visiting prime minister, included marinated millets, stuffed mushrooms, grilled corn kernel salad and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake. More than 400 guests were invited for the dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a specially decorated pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House. In his address at the State Dinner, Prime Minister Modi said the guests here "symbolise so much about the US-India relationship - our energy, our dynamism, and our potential". "You have gathered a group of exceptionally talented and remarkable people tonight, I must commend you for that," he said thanking President Biden and the first lady for hosting the

Success of Modi doctrine in diplomacy: Shah on PM's White House welcome

The grand welcome accorded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House underscores the success of his diplomacy doctrine and is a source of pride of every indian, top BJP leaders said on Thursday. Several BJP leaders and ministers tweeted a video of the formal ceremony organised to welcome Modi to the While House. "A grand welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji at the White House radiates with the success of Modi doctrine in diplomacy," Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, posting a video of the event on Twitter. "A people's leader at home and a charismatic statesman on the global stage, the accolades bestowed upon Modi Ji are a source of pride for every Indian," he added. Posting a video clip of the welcome ceremony on Twitter, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said, "I can't remember any world leader having got this kind of reception and attention from the White House." Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also tweeted the video clip and said, "Feeling proud.

Indian diaspora gathers to witness PM Modi's welcome at White House

Large crowds of the Indian diaspora on Thursday gathered at the South Lawns of the White House under an overcast sky as ceremonial music played ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival here for his official welcome. Officials said anywhere between 2,000-3,000 persons are expected to witness the ceremonial welcome being given to Modi, who is on his first state visit to the US. A drizzle was no dampener to the enthusiasm of the members of the diaspora, many of whom travelled overnight from different parts of the US, as they waved the flag of the two countries and raised slogans. "What a great sight it is. It is like a festival," Hitesh Shah, who came from Boston, said. Slogans like 'Vande Mataram', 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Modi, Modi' went up the air amid a mood of cheer. Prime Minister Modi arrived here on Wednesday on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the US during which he will hold bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US .

Prez Biden, PM Modi to announce deal on 'Reaper' armed drones: White House

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden will on Thursday announce a mega deal on the purchase of General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" armed drones by India, the White House has said, a move which would further bolster India's national security and surveillance capabilities not only in the Indian Ocean but also along the frontier with China. The General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" can carry 500 per cent more payload and has nine times the horsepower in comparison to the earlier MQ-1 Predator. Moreover, MQ-9 UAV provides long-endurance, persistent surveillance, and strike capability for the warfighter. The General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,850 pound (1,746 kilogrammes) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilogrammes) of external stores, according to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI). With regards to the Sea Guardian, Yes. I think that's going to be announced by t

India to decide to buy oil in keeping within price cap: WH on Russian oil

In December last year, the United States and its allies went after Russia's all-important oil revenues after a European ban and price cap on Russian oil

Donald Trump can run for 2024 presidential election even if convicted

Donald Trump can continue his campaign for another term in the White House even as the beleaguered former US president has been indicted for illegally retaining classified government documents after leaving office in 2021. Trump, 77, on Tuesday, pleaded not guilty to 37 federal felony counts related to his mishandling of classified documents at the federal courthouse in Miami, Florida. It marks the first time federal charges have been brought against a former president. This indictment is the second criminal case filed against Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican Party's nomination in the 2024 presidential election. In early April, Trump surrendered to authorities in New York and appeared in state court to face 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. He pleaded not guilty to those charges also. On May 9, Trump was found liable in a civil case brought by columnist E Jean Carroll, who claimed he raped her and defamed her. Trump denied those allegatio

WH press secretary violated rules against politics on job: Watchdog

Since taking on the role of White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre has become known for frequently dodging questions by citing the Hatch Act. The law bars civil servants from politicking during their day jobs, and Jean-Pierre uses it to deflect reporters' questions involving campaigns. But apparently she wasn't careful enough. The Office of Special Counsel, a government agency that enforces the Hatch Act, said in a recent letter that Jean-Pierre violated the law before last year's midterm elections. Her offence: Making frequent references to "MAGA Republicans" during White House briefings. According to a letter from the Office of Special Counsel, Jean-Pierre "made those references to generate opposition to Republican candidates" and "accordingly, making the references constituted political activity". The letter was posted online by The Washington Post. It was first reported by NBC News. Penalties for Hatch Act violations are uncommon, and the office did not recommend any

US has 'significant' defence partnership with India, says White House

The US has a "significant" defence partnership with India and "terrific cooperation" inside the Quad, the White House has said. The remarks by John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council in the White House, to reporters at Monday's daily news conference come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US next week. "We are very much looking forward to have Prime Minister Modi here," he said. "As you know, the United States has a significant defence partnership with India and terrific cooperation inside the Quad, across the Indo-Pacific with India... We are looking forward to the visit," Kirby said in response to a question. The Quad comprises Japan, India, Australia, and the US. The four countries in 2017 gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quadrilateral coalition or "Quad" to counter China's aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for a

White House says Iran helping Russia build a drone factory for war

Iran is providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow as the Kremlin looks to lock in a steady supply of weaponry for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, according to a U.S. intelligence finding released by the White House on Friday. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that U.S. intelligence officials believe a plant in Russia's Alabuga special economic zone could be operational early next year. The White House also released satellite imagery taken in April of the industrial location, several hundred miles east of Moscow, where it believes the plant will probably be built. President Joe Biden's administration publicly stated in December that it believed Tehran and Moscow were considering standing up a drone assembly line in Russia for the Ukraine war. The new intelligence suggests that the project, in the Yelabuga region of Tatarstan, has moved beyond conception. Iran has said it provided drones to Russia before the start of the w

Biden invites LGBTQ+ individuals to White House for Pride Month celebration

President Joe Biden has invited thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals to celebrate Pride Month in a high-profile show of support at a time when the community feels under attack like never before and the White House has little recourse to beat back a flood state-level legislation against them. Biden was announcing new initiatives to protect LGBTQ+ communities from attacks, help youth with mental health resources and homelessness and counter book bans, White House officials said. The White House was closely monitoring air quality due to hazardous smoke from Canadian wildfires to determine whether to proceed with plans for a Thursday night picnic featuring food, games, face painting and photos. Queen HD the DJ was handling the music; singer Betty Who was on tap to perform. Karine Jean-Pierre, the first openly gay White House press secretary, said Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses are strong supporters of the LGBTQ+ community and think that having a celebration is an ...

PM Modi, Prez Biden to discuss Indo-Pacific tech partnership: White House

US and India have a strategic alliance. In their last in-person meeting in Indonesia, PM Modi and President Biden took into account areas like crucial and emerging technologies and AI

White House remarks on Indian democracy 'tight slap' on Rahul Gandhi: BJP

The BJP took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, saying it is "ironical" that while he "shamelessly" continues to criticise India's democracy during his US visit, the White House says India is a vibrant democracy. It is a tight slap on the "yuvraj" of the Congress, BJP national spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam said. The White House said Monday that India is a vibrant democracy and anybody who happens to go to New Delhi can see that for themselves, as it dismissed concerns about the health of democracy in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a state visit to the US later this month. "Isn't it ironical that while Rahul Gandhi shamelessly continues to criticise our democracy during his US visit, the White House says India is a vibrant democracy. What a tight slap on Yuvraj of the Congress. Under PM Shri Narendra Modi our democracy is safe," Islam said. He was reacting to the comments of John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in th

US wants to engage Russia on nuclear arms control in post-treaty world

The White House is ready to have talks with Russia without preconditions about a future nuclear arms control framework even as it is enacting countermeasures in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to suspend the last nuclear arms control treaty between the two countries. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will make clear the Biden administration's desire for talks on building a new framework during an address to the Arms Control Association on Friday, according to two senior administration officials who previewed the address on the condition of anonymity. Putin announced in February he was suspending Russia's cooperation with the New START Treaty's provisions for nuclear warhead and missile inspections amid deep tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Russia, however, said it would respect the treaty's caps on nuclear weapons. The officials said that Sullivan would underscore that the U.S. remains committ

Debt ceiling deal advances pipeline and tweaks rules, but more work remains

Despite weeks of negotiations, the White House and House Republicans were unable to reach a comprehensive agreement to overhaul environmental regulations and streamline federal permitting as part of their debt ceiling deal, instead settling for limited changes that could simplify and expedite some project reviews. The legislation, approved late Wednesday by the House, includes provisions to speed up infrastructure projects under the landmark National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. However, it does not clear the way to build large-scale electricity transmission lines, instead ordering a two-year study of the issue. The budget deal was being debated Thursday in the Senate, where lawmakers are working to meet a Monday deadline before the U.S. risks a devastating default. One project got special treatment: the legislation essentially ensures construction of the long-delayed Mountain Valley Pipeline, a $6.6 billion project to transport natural gas through Appalachia. The White House

White House, Republicans reach deal to raise debt ceiling, avert US default

The deal includes a two-year debt limit increase and a two-year appropriations agreement that keeps non-defense spending roughly flat with current levels

Will work on issue of immigration, says Biden's top aide Neera Tanden

Indian-American public policy expert Neera Tanden has said her experience as a daughter of immigrants is akin to many immigrants in the US and she will work on the issue of immigration in her new role as the White House Domestic Policy Advisor. Tanden, 52, on Saturday replaces former US National Security Advisor Susan Rice as the White House Domestic Policy Advisor, which is considered to be one of the most powerful positions inside the White House. Currently I'm Staff Secretary, and tomorrow I'm going toI'm extremely enthusiastic about taking over as Domestic Policy Council Advisor. My experience is like many immigrants in the United States as children of immigrants," Tanden told PTI on Friday. "My father came here from India in the early 1950s, and my mother came in the 1960s. They moved to Bedford, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. They were the only Indian family in that community. So, I felt a part of that community, but also a little bit different, she said. Tanden, a close

Biden getting requests for Modi's state dinner invite shows excitement: WH

President Joe Biden receiving a large number of requests to the state dinner he is hosting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows the excitement level, the White House has said. I think that is a good thing. That shows the excitement of the prime minister being here on June 22, White House Press Secretary Karine jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Tuesday. She was responding to a question on President Biden receiving a large number of requests from Indian-Americans across his administration, lawmakers and corporate sector leaders seeking an invitation to the much sought after state dinner he and First Lady Jill Biden are hosting for Modi next month. I think that is a good thing, to get those requests. I think that is important and show why it is critical to continue growing that partnership that we have with India, Jean-Pierre said. The president and the first lady looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi for the official state visit, which is as we .

Debt limit talks start, stop as Republicans, WH face 'serious differences'

Debt limit talks between the White House and House Republicans stopped, started and stopped again Friday at the US Capitol, a dizzying series of events in high-stakes negotiations to avoid a potentially catastrophic federal default. President Joe Biden's administration is reaching for a deal with Republicans led by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as the nation faces a deadline as soon as June 1 to raise the country's borrowing limit, now at $31 trillion, to keep paying the nation's bills. Republicans are demanding steep spending cuts the Democrats oppose. Negotiations came to an abrupt standstill earlier in the day when McCarthy said it's time to pause talks. But the negotiating teams convened again in the evening only to quickly call it quits for the night. The president, who has been in Japan attending the Group of Seven summit, had no immediate public comment. But White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden was still optimistic that a deal could be reached. The presid