PM Modi, President Obama to pen joint editorial in leading US publication

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama will write a joint editorial in a leading journal, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. Akbaruddin declined to name the publication in which the joint editorial would appear, but said that this was the first time that an Indian and US head of state had collaborated on a joint editorial. Responding to a question from one of the journalists at the briefing on how the two worked on the editorial given that they had only met each other for the first time hours ago, Akbaruddin said that since fortunately both believed in ‘digital diplomacy’, they had communicated via digital means to write it. “It was only confirmed this evening, which was why we didn’t say anything about it before”, Akbaruddin said. [caption id=“attachment_1736615” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PM Modi and President Obama.[/caption] The next big question of course, was whether PM Modi had continued with his fast at the White House. “I can confirm that the PM only had warm water”, Akbaruddin said, adding however that he had told the rest of the assembled guests to please not be uncomfortable and eat as usual. And yes, President Obama had eaten as usual. Fasting notwithstanding, the two had used the time to have a discussion on India-US relations, and had also shared anecdotes about one another’s first few days in office. “This was a way for the two to get to know one another”, Akbaruddin said, adding that contrary to reporter hopes, there had been no walk on the famed White House lawns. “PM Modi laid out his hopes and aspirations for India in terms of development and also told President Obama about how he felt the US could help”, Akbaruddin said. The discussion had lasted about 90 minutes. And in the spirit of diplomacy the all important subject of gifts were discussed. While Akbaruddin said he did not know what Obama had gifted PM Modi, he said that Modi had given him a special edition of the Bhagavad Gita, which was an interpretation by the Mahatma. The book had been specially printed and assembled in Delhi, and would have a khadi cover, he added. Among the other ‘special gifts’ that Modi gave Obama was also an AIR recording of Martin Luther King’s speech in India, as PM Modi was aware of Obama’s great respect for King. And no, Akbaruddin could not say how Obama reacted. The MEA spokesperson said that also present at the dinner were Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Adviser Susan Rice and USAID chief Rajiv Shah. PM Modi was accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh among others. PM Modi also met Bill and Hilary Clinton in New Yorkwhich were mostly to do with the work of the Clinton Foundation in India, said Akbaruddin.