State visits are rare, exceptional and prestigious, and are seen as the highest form of expression of friendly bilateral ties. A state visit is an invitation extended by the Head of a State to his official residence, and reserved only for close allies.
The state visit invitation to Prime Minister Modi by the Biden administration is indicative of the deep and close partnership between the two countries. Although the Prime Minister has visited the US several times since 2014, this would be his first State Visit.
PM Modi with US President Joe Biden during his official US Visit in 2021.
The last Prime Minister to get the honour of a US State Visit was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr Singh was honoured with a personal dinner invite by then US President Barak Obama and Michelle Obama at the House House in 2009.
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India walk along the Cross Hall of the White House towards the East Room for the arrival ceremony.
Earlier, in 1982, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited the US. Though the US State Department lists Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's visit as an official and not as a state visit, she was also honoured with a gun salute and state dinner at the White House in a grand ceremony.
President John F. Kennedy (in rocking chair) meets with Indira Gandhi.
Other Indian leaders to have been invited personally by the US President include President Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan who visited in June 1963 as a guest of President John F Kennedy.
US President John F. Kennedy and President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (left), depart the White House following a meeting.
The first Indian Prime Minister invited as a guest of a US President was Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was a guest of President Harry S. Truman visiting New York, Chicago, Knoxville and San Francisco in addition to Washington DC.
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru with US President Harry S. Truman
While state dinners have traditionally been held in the State Dining Room of White House, recent presidents have hosted these events in the lawns of the White House to accommodate more guests and make the events grander.
