PM Modi at Madison Square Garden
It may be all vegetarian dishes and non-alcoholic drinks when President Barack Obama hosts a private dinner at the White House tonight for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to sources, the Indian side had expressed a desire not to include non-vegetarian dishes during the private dinner keeping in mind sensitivities of the Prime Minister who is observing Navratri fasts.
The request is being considered positively, as per US government sources.
PM Modi, 64, who arrived in the US on Friday, has been observing Navratra fasts which started on September 25, has been drinking lukewarm lime water while he fasts.
Last week, the White House had said they respectfully accommodate the practices of visiting guests.
"As with all guests hosted by US Presidents over the years, we always work to respectfully accommodate the practices of our visitors," said Caitlin Hayden, spokesperson of the National Security Council.
President Obama and PM Modi are meeting for the first time tonight and will hold bilateral talks tomorrow at the White House.
PM Modi had said he will discuss with Obama how Indo-US ties can be taken to a "new level" in the interest of the two countries as well as of the world.