Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gifted an antique hand-engraved model of a train made of silver to US President Joe Biden. The Prime Minister, who is in the US on a three-day visit, met Mr Biden in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, ahead of the Quad Leaders Summit.
The train model was customized based on the standard format used in passenger trains in India with “Delhi-Delaware” written in English and Hindi on both sides of the main coach and “Indian Railways” on both sides of the engine.
Crafted by artisans from Maharashtra, known for their rich heritage in silver craftwork, the model is made of 92.5 per cent silver, officials said.
Prime Minister Modi also presented a Kashmiri pashmina shawl to First Lady Jill Biden.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi said he had an “extremely useful” meeting with Mr Biden during which the two leaders discussed ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and exchanged views on global and regional issues, including in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Mr Biden at his residence in Greenville, Delaware, where the two leaders hugged each other. The US President held Prime Minister Modi’s hand and led him to the house where the bilateral talks took place.
“I thank President Biden for hosting me at his residence in Greenville, Delaware. Our talks were extremely fruitful. During the meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues,” PM Modi posted on Twitter after the meeting that lasted over an hour.
I thank President Biden for hosting me at his residence in Greenville, Delaware. Our talks were extremely fruitful. During the meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues. @Joe Biden pic.twitter.com/WzWW3fudTn
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2024
Mr Biden also said the United States’ partnership with India is “stronger, closer and more dynamic than at any time in history”.
He wrote, “Prime Minister Modi, whenever we meet, I am impressed by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different.”
The joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting said the India-US partnership is “decisively pursuing an ambitious agenda that serves the global good”, calling it the “defining partnership of the 21st century”.
