Looks like Modi, Obama have a lot in common

Both came to their capitals as outsiders. Both were early technology converts and used it in polls.

WASHINGTON: And they talked, and talked and talked. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama realised they had a lot in common, more than just their love of technology and early embrace as an election tool.

The two leaders began their first meeting, in a rather informal setting of a quiet dinner at the White House, with Obama greeting Modi with “Kem Chho” in Gujarati. Without missing a beat, Modi replied in English, “Thank you, Mr President.” And with that the two leaders began to get to know each other — they had only spoken on phone before.

“We had a wonderful meeting and talked about a wide range of issues,” Modi tweeted late in the night, when Obama, by his own admission, catches up with his files. The dinner, along with a handful of senior officials on both sides, took place in an “extremely convivial” atmosphere, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters later.

And that’s because their experiences tracked remarkably.

Both leaders came to their respective Capitals as outsiders — Obama came to the insular world of Beltway politics from Illinois, and Modi to Raisina Hill from Gujarat. Both were early converts to technology, and pioneers of its use in elections. And both were struck and disappointed by the relatively low use of technology at their new places of work. “Prime Minister Modi told President Obama when he moved to Delhi after taking office, he found the use of technology even less than in Gujarat,” said the spokesperson.

The dinner meeting lasted 90 minutes.

Prime Minister was accompanied by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, national security advisor Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Sujatha Singh and five other officials.

Vice-president Joe Biden, secretary of state John Kerry, national security advisor Susan Rice and several other officials were present along with Obama.

First lady Michelle Obama was not present and it was not clear if she was to attend.

Modi, as expected, settled down with only a glass of water but requested everyone to continue with their dinner.