During the first leg of his visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the International Yoga Day celebrations at the UN Headquarters in New York. Addressing the crowd, PM Modi said yoga is free from copyright and patents. Representatives of over 135 nations participated in the Yoga event and a Guinness record was created. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj receive the award. This was the power of yoga for the world moment.
Prime Minister Modi was accorded a 21-gun salute during a grand ceremonial welcome ceremony at the White House in Washington DC. PM Modi, who is on his first official US State visit, was welcomed by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden amid a grand welcome event.
Prime Minister Modi received a magnificent welcome amid applause while he was entering the US Congress. American lawmakers lined up to shake hands with the Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy. The applause didn't stop as everyone looked towards PM Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also gave autographs in the joint session address booklets of US Congressmen at Capitol Hill. US Congressmen lined up to take autographs and selfies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his address to the joint sitting of the US Congress.
PM Modi's speech to the joint sitting US Congress was historic in many senses. First, Modi is the first Prime Minister of India to have the honour twice and second, the respect he got during the speech. As per reports, PM Modi received 15 standing ovations and around 70-80 applauses during his US Congress speech. This shows the confidence that the United States has in India under Prime Minister Modi.
The US State Dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for Prime Minister Modi saw the participation of over 400 dignitaries including businessmen, CEOs and lawmakers from both countries. 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." It was indeed a proud moment for Indians.