"You are too popular..." Biden's praise for PM Modi during Quad Summit

HIROSHIMA: Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi very popular, United States President said that he is running out of tickets for the Indian leader's event being organized during his (PM Modi's) visit to the US next month, according to the sources.

On Saturday, during the Quad meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, President Biden came up to PM Modi and told that he's been facing a challenge with a deluge of requests from prominent citizens to attend the program PM Modi.

Biden, while talking to PM Modi, said, "You are demonstrating that democracies matter," according to the sources. "You are causing me a real problem. Next month we have a dinner (during PM Modi's visit to the US in June) for you in Washington. Everyone in the whole country wants to come. I have run out of tickets. You think I am kidding? Ask my team. I am getting phone calls from people I have never heard of before. Everyone from movie actors to relatives. You are too popular," Sources quoted him saying.

He further stated that PM Modi has made a significant impact on everything, including what the other three members doing in QUAD. "You also made a fundamental shift in climate. You have influence in Indo-Pacific.

You are making a difference," Biden added. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also present when US President was speaking to PM Modi.

Both PM Albanese and Biden complained to PM Modi about their peculiar challenges. PM Albanese further remembered how at the Narendra Modi stadium, more than 90,000 people welcomed PM Modi during the victory lap.

To this, Joe Biden told PM Modi, "I should take your autograph." PM Narendra Modi will embark on an official state visit to the United States on June 22. During his visit, PM Modi will be hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner at the White House, the Ministry of External Affairs informed through a press statement.

The MEA statement further said the visit will underscore the growing importance of the strategic partnership between India and the United States, as the two nations are already collaborating across sectors.

Meanwhile, a statement released by the White House read, "President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India for an Official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on June 22, 2023."

"The visit will strengthen the two countries' shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space," the statement added.

"The leaders will discuss ways to further expand our educational exchanges and people-to-people ties, as well as our work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security," it stated further.