President Obama extends thanks, raises toast to ‘dosti’at Presidential banquet
President Obama added that he was thinking of wearing a 'Modi kurta'
New Delhi: Raising a toast to the great partnership and friendship between India and his country, U.S President Barack Obama on Sunday extended his thanks for the extraordinary hospitality shown to him.
"I want to extend my thanks for the extraordinary hospitality that you have shown us today. I also want to thank you for not making me dance again," President Obama said at the banquet held in his honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
On a lighter note, President Obama added that he "was thinking of wearing a 'Modi kurta' myself tonight".
The Presidential banquet is being attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, senior BJP leader L K Advani, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and several other top leaders and dignitaries.
Earlier today, President Obama and his wife Michelle landed in New Delhi for their three-day visit to India, where they were received by Prime Minister Modi.
The U.S. President was later accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, with a grand welcome ceremony followed by the Guard of Honour, where the battalion was led by Wing Commander Pooja Thakur of the Indian Air Force. The US President also received a 21-gun salute.
President Obama also visited Raj Ghat, paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi via a wreath and planting a sapling at his final resting place.
Prime Minister Modi and President Obama also addressed a joint press conference following the delegation level talks held in Hyderabad house in the national capital.
On his trip to India, President Obama has been accompanied by a sizable delegation of top leaders, including Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, among others.
President Obama, who is the chief guest of this year's Republic Day parade, will be the first U.S. president to attend the Republic Day celebrations tomorrow.
Obama, who visited India in 2010, is also the first U.S. president to visit the country twice while in office.