PM Narendra Modi in US: What is a state visit, what are the different types of foreign visits?

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the United States for an official “state visit” from June 21 to 24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden. Upon his arrival, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi at the White House. While PM Modi has been a frequent traveler to the United States over the past 9 years, none of these were “official state visits”. Therefore, this visit is very important as it will be the first “State Visit” of Prime Minister Modi to the United States of America. The PM had traveled to Australia, Japan and Papua New Guinea last month. He went to Hiroshima (Japan) for the G-7 Summit (May 19-21), then to Papua New Guinea for the Pacific Islands Leaders’ Summit, and finally to Australia for the Quad Leaders’ Summit.

Who was the last Indian Prime Minister to go on a state visit to America?

Prior to PM Modi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the United States from November 23 to November 25, 2009, on an “official state visit”. Although PM Modi has made several visits to the US over the years, none of these visits can be classified as a “state visit”, which is the highest ranked trip according to diplomatic protocol.

What is classified as a state visit?

State visits are visits to foreign countries by a sovereign head of state/government. Hence a state visit is described as “(name of state) visit” instead of “(name of leader) visit”. State visits have great ceremonial significance and are a symbol of friendly bilateral relations between the host and guest states. In the case of the US, “state visits” may take place only at the official invitation of the US President, who serves as head of state. Presidents, prime ministers and monarchs often make “state visits”. However, other important leaders, including the Crown Prince, the Vice President, and ceremonial heads of state, may undertake other types of foreign visits.

Ceremonial importance attached to state visits

State visits, which usually last for a few days, include various elaborate celebrations. These include the flight line ceremony, where the incoming head of state is greeted upon landing, a 21-gun salute in honor of the official guest, a military band playing the national anthems of both countries, and an invitation to stay. Blair House (US President’s guest house), street-line of flags and exchange of gifts between the two heads of state. A state banquet is also hosted by the host state in honor of the “state guest”.

Who Pays for State Travel?

The host state/nation bears all expenses, including accommodation and travel, of the state visit. Importantly, as per the guidelines of the US State Department, the US President can host only one head of state once every four years.

What are the different categories of foreign tours?

While “state visits” carry more formal significance, actual diplomatic work and relationship-building can be accomplished in a variety of visits. According to US State Department guidelines, there are five different types of visits that can be granted to any high-ranking official of another country. They are – State visit, Official visit, Official business visit, Business visit and Private visit. While all other visits require an invitation, an invitation is rarely granted for a state visit, except for a private visit by a head of state.

Classification of PM Modi’s previous US visits

PM Modi’s previous visits to the US were classified as Working Visit (2014), Working Lunch (2016) and Official Working Visit (2017). PM Modi’s 2019 visit to the US was described by the US State Department as one in which he “attended a rally in Houston, Texas”.

Details of PM Modi’s foreign/domestic tours since 26.05.2014

The Government of India website has a dedicated page: , Contains details of foreign visits undertaken by PM Modi since 26.05.2014 along with duration and expenses of chartered flights.