PM Narendra Modi, President Joe Biden to take questions from media, White House says ‘big deal’

NEW DELHI,JUNE 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden will participate in a joint press briefing and take questions from journalists on Thursday, according to a senior White House official.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby described the joint presser as a “big deal”.

“We are just grateful that Prime Minister Modi is participating in a press event at the end of the visit. We think that’s important and we’re glad he thinks that’s important too,” Kirby was quoted by Reuters as saying.

White House press conferences with other world leaders have been tightly controlled, with US officials designating reporters beforehand from the American and foreign media for Biden and his guest to call upon, and a very limited number of questions.

PM Modi’s ‘techade’ pitch to entrepreneurs in meet with Jill Biden

PM Modi arrived in the US on Tuesday to begin his four-day State visit. He visited the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York and led the International Day of Yoga celebrations. He also met several business leaders, technocrats and renowned personalities.

After wrapping up his engagements in New York, PM Modi arrived in Washington on the second leg of his maiden state visit to the US. The Prime Minister met First Lady Jill Biden and visited the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, with her.

Later in the day, he also met US President Joe Biden, who hosted a private dinner for him at the White House. The rendezvous included an exchange of gifts.

PM Modi has visited the US five times since he took office in 2014. The current trip is his first with full diplomatic status of a state visit.

-PTI