US President Bill Clinton threw for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee the largest ever banquet of his presidency to a single visiting dignitary saying the Indian leader and he have built the strongest and most mature partnership the two countries ever have known. Raising a toast for Vajpayee, Clinton said, “We have built the strongest, the most mature partnership that India and America have ever known. Its success will be our success together. India and America can change the world”.
Clinton emphasised the need for closer cooperation between the two countries to fight the menace of terrorism, drug trafficking and poverty. The lavish banquet was hosted on the lawns of White House under a special tent equipped to host 700 guests that included stars of screen, sports and the Internet revolution.

Responding to the toast Vajpayee said that it was a tribute to Clinton, the manner in which we approach each other as never before. “We have, I believe, created a framework of dialogue and engagement that will stand the test of time,” Vajpayee said.
Bureau Report