To Eat Or Not To Eat: Barack Obama's Big Worry As PM Narendra Modi's Host

The prime minister's fast has also caused a ripple over the September 29 private repast that would see Modi and Obama - the leader of the world's biggest democracy and the leader of the world's oldest democracy - in a quiet retreat, working out ways to give a fillip to a flagging bilateral relationship.

"The troubling question is: How can the host be eating when the guest would be on fast," the source added. Before news that Modi would be observing fast was known, the White House was thinking up interesting vegetarian fare, including Indian cuisine, for the strictly vegetarian prime minister. But now it looks likely to be fruit juices and fruit dessert!

Indian envoy S Jaishankar is known to be busy working out Modi's trip to the last minute detail. Jaishankar, whose name was being flagged during the initial days of the Modi government as likely to be brought in to the centre in a top diplomatic position, has taken complete charge of the prime minister's U.S. trip, another source said.

Modi arrives in New York on September 26 and would address the UN General Assembly on September 27 afternoon which would be his first global speech to an audience of nearly 200 world leaders and foreign ministers. He is to address the Indian American community the following day at Madison Square Garden, which is being billed as a major event to be telecast live.

While the official itinerary is not out, on September 28 Modi is to attend a private reception hosted by Indian ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji and on the following day is to fly to Washington to meet leaders of the U.S. Congress, India Caucus. September 29-30 are the two days reserved for the summit with Obama.

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