Prime Minister Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to the United States, was given a special welcome. Modi has been accommodated in Blair House, where only important leaders stay. Why the special welcome? What are the special features of Blair House? Let’s see.
Trump took office as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. At Trump’s inauguration ceremony, where presidents and prime ministers of many countries participated, India was given the first honor. Union External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, who attended on behalf of India, was allotted the first seat in the first row.
Within seven days of becoming president, Trump spoke to Prime Minister Modi on the phone.
President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have developed a close personal relationship. This has been clearly evident in the high-level meetings between the two and the special public events they have attended.
The “Howdy Modi” event in Houston in 2019 and Trump’s visit to Ahmedabad in 2020 are testaments to this relationship.
President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, who are strong leaders, have been prioritizing nationalist economics with a nation-first approach.
In honor of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, the American flag was removed from Blair House, where he resides, and the tricolor was decorated. Blair House became a festival of enthusiasm as scores of Indian Americans gathered to welcome the Prime Minister.
Despite the bitter cold, chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Modi, Modi” echoed loudly in the Washington air.
Located at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue, directly opposite the White House, this historic home is no ordinary guesthouse. It is a symbol of diplomatic grandeur.
Former Indian Prime Ministers Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth II of England, French President Charles de Gaulle, Israeli Prime Ministers Golda Meir, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin, and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher have all stayed at Blair House.
It has been hailed as the “world’s most exclusive hotel” and has welcomed heads of state, royals and world leaders.
Built in 1824, Blair House became a political center of Washington when the Blair family moved in in 1837.
It is a 70,000-square-foot mansion, a grand addition to the White House. Located on a 7,000-square-foot extension of the White House, Blair House features five-star design, luxurious accommodations, antiques, fine art and a wealth of historical artifacts.
Blair House is designed to reflect American history and craftsmanship. The Blair House has 119 rooms, including 4 guest bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, three dining rooms, and a full-service spa.
The invitation from the US President to stay at the historic Blair House, which is run by the Office of the Chief of Staff of the US Department of State, is a significant honor. It has been extended to Prime Minister Modi.
The similar political views that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi share in confronting China have further strengthened their relationship. This has also strengthened the US-India partnership.
It is also noteworthy that although Trump has often criticized India, he has never criticized Prime Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Modi’s stance on the war in Ukraine echoes Trump’s stance that the war should be ended without criticizing Russian President Putin or Russia.
That is why, ahead of the Prime Minister Modi-President Trump meeting, the rupee has risen to a single-day high in 2 years. The Reserve Bank of India has sold $12 billion in the last 2 days. Market experts have said that the value of the Indian rupee against the dollar has increased due to this dollar sale.
In an environment where the country’s economy has been growing rapidly for the last two years, the biggest challenge is to deal with Trump in a way that does not harm India’s interests. Political experts say that Prime Minister Modi will handle that challenge tactfully.
