Modi's US visit

Joe and Jill Biden with Narendra Modi on Thursday. Andrew Harnik/AP 

Modi's US visit 

Unusually tough questions for Modi during the state visit  

After being banned in the US ten years ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now really in the heat in Washington again. His visit to the country has been marked by pomp and circumstance, and on Thursday evening a full-scale state banquet was held at the White House.  

During the visit, the US and India have concluded agreements on fighter aircraft, investment in the chip industry and space cooperation. AFP describes it as the US investing heavily in India to counter China's influence in the region. 

- The whole world has an interest in the success of our countries, said US President Joe Biden on Thursday.  

The reason why the US banned Modi was accusations that he contributed to bloody riots against Muslims in the state of Gujarat in 2002. During Thursday's press conference, Modi, who normally does not usually expose himself to critical reporters, was asked several questions about how Muslims are treated in the country. 

- There is absolutely no place for discrimination in India, he said.