Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be fasting, but that did not stop him from dining with President Obama Monday night.
While Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other officials dined on rich food such as crisped halibut with ginger carrot sauce, the prime minister abstained but for warm water, an Indian official said.
“Please don’t feel embarrassed and please continue with your food,” Modi said, according to Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Syad Akbaruddin and first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
White House officials offered no further details about the “working dinner” — only that food was served for whomever wanted to eat. President Obama obliged when the prime minister encourage his host to enjoy the meal, Akbaruddin said.
Modi, who has described the fast as “a source of strength, power and inspiration,” fasts during the nine days of Navratri, a Hindu festival.
The fast does’t affect Modi’s work — during his trip to New York and Washington, D.C., he has been extremely busy with speeches, events and important meetings.
On Monday, the prime minister had a breakfast with 11 prominent U.S. CEOs, as well as a private meeting with Bill and Hillary Clinton. His dinner at the White House was billed as a “getting-to-know-you session,” while more specific issues are on Tuesday’s agenda, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Obama and Modi spent about 90 minutes together Monday night, enjoying what Akbaruddin described as “extremely convivial” conversation about furthering U.S.-India relations.
