Dinner with Obama, but no food for PM Modi

Washington: A spread comprising of compressed avacados, crisped halibut, safron Basmati rice and salmon were part of the menu for dinner that US President Barack Obama hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had only warm water due to his fast.

Though there was a plate put in front of the Prime Minister as per the protocol, he only had warm water and asked rest of the guest not to feel embarrassed and continue with their normal dinner, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

The dinner was attended by limited number of guests from each side. While from the US, Vice-President Joe Biden, Secretary of State William Burns, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, USAID's Rajiv Shah were among the nine guests, Indian delegation had External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Ambassador here S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh among others.

The dinner also had mango creme brulee for the guests. The Prime Minister has been observing Navratri fasts for last 40 years and this year it coincided with his five-day US visit from September 26.

Surprisingly, USA's First Lady Michelle Obama gave the working meal a miss as the two delegations dined on halibut, avocados and basmati rice served with Shafer Chardonnay.

Here is the official menu:
Compressed Avocados
Goat cheese and Baby Bell Peppers
Micro Basil
Grapeseed Oil
Roti Crisps
Crisped Halibut with Ginger Carrot Sauce
Saffron Basmati rice
Farm Stand Succotash
Mango Creme Brulee
Ginger Juilee
Shafer Chardonnay "Red Shouldera" 2010