Elisha Pulivarti from Washington DC
US Vice President Kamala Harris on June 23, Friday paid rich tributes to her Indian roots at the state luncheon she hosted at White House in Washington DC, along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Kamala Harris’ whose mother Shyamala migrated to America as an exchange student six decades ago, fondly recalled her grandparents from Tamil Nadu in India . “I am greatly guided by my grandfather in choosing public service,” said she.
This is PM Modi’s third day in the US of his four day state visit. After a state dinner by President Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden on June 22, Thursday, Harris and Blinken hosted a state luncheon to the PM again in White House. With this, PM Modi will be having two dinners – one private dinner with Bidens, another state dinner and third state luncheon with VP and the secretary, for three days in row.
Perhaps this maybe a rare gesture on the part of the Biden administration to an Indian PM. This also shows the goodwill enjoyed by PM Modi in the US for the last three days. He got a roaring welcome at the UN headquarters on the first day as he led a Yoga session. Later, Modi got a ceremonial welcome at White House and a state dinner and an address to the US congress joint session.
PM Modi got a rousing welcome at the US congress joint session too. Though he spoke in Hindi at all these events, thanks to instant translation facility into English, the audience at all places lustily applauded speeches. In the joint session of the US congress, more than 70 times, PM Modi got standing ovation or loud cheers. This shows, how good is PM Modi is at speaking in Hindi and attracting English speaking Americans.
Protests are there
Of course, there are protests too against PM Modi during his US visit. Some congressmen, including Indian origin Pramila Jayapal shot off a letter to President Biden asking him to raise the issue of human rights, democracy and rights of religious minorities in India with PM Modi. Even some media persons asked Modi on this issue. PM Modi cleverly replied that democracy is in the DNA of India and that there is no discrimination against anyone on any criteria.
Kamala Harris, symbol of women empowerment
Responding to warm welcome at the state luncheon, PM Modi said the rise of Kamala Harris as Vice President of US shows that women can raise to any level, given an opportunity. “Today Vice President Kamala Harris is a symbol of women empowerment not just in India or US, but all over the world,” said PM Modi raising a toast at the luncheon.
Kamala on her part praised PM Mod for his leadership on a range of global issues like climate change and promoting closer ties between India and the US. She complimented Modi for his leadership as India chairs the G-20 leadership this year. Secretary Blinken too lauded the proactive role played by PM Modi on a host of issues right from Covid vaccines to clean energy. The luncheon was attended by several tech CEOs and eminent persons from both India and the US.
(Elisha Pulivarti is CEO of US India SME Council, and special correspondent for Excel India from Washington DC)
