Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the White House on his maiden state visit on Thursday to a warm welcome by US President Joe Biden, who said that it has been an honour to host the Indian Prime Minister after 15 years. Biden also added that the relationship between India and the US is 'one of the most defining relationships'.

Prime Minister Modi reciprocated by saying, "We both nations take pride in our diversity, both of us believe in fundamental principle of interests of all and welfare of all."

The meet aims at further boosting the growing Indo-US strategic relations in areas like defence, space, clean energy and critical technologies.

Modi and Biden will have a one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office of the White House before holding delegation-level talks.

"Looking forward to today’s talks with @POTUS @JoeBiden. I am confident our discussions will further strengthen India-USA relations," Modi tweeted minutes before his arrival at the White House.

This would be the second interaction between the two leaders within 24 hours.

Thanking Biden, his wife Jill Biden and the US administration for a warm and grand welcome, Modi said this is the first time the gates of the White House have been opened for Indian-Americans in such large numbers.

"This grand welcome ceremony at the White House today is an honour and pride for the 1.4 billion people of India. It is also an honour for more than 4 million people of Indian origin in the US," Modi said.

He said both countries take pride in their diversity, and "both of us believe in the fundamental principle of 'In the interest of all, for the welfare of all'".

He said about three decades ago, he had come to America as a common man and at that time, he had seen the White House from the outside.

"After becoming the PM, I've come many times, but today for the first time the doors of the White House have been opened for the Indian-American community in such large numbers," he added.

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted Prime Minister Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House a day earlier during which they discussed a range of issues, exchanged gifts and enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India.

Later Thursday, President Biden and the first lady will host a State Dinner at the South Lawn of the White House, which is expected to be attended by 400 guests.

Prime Minister Modi's visit also includes an address by him to the joint session of the US Congress.

"This visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together,” the White House said on Wednesday.

"The visit will strengthen our two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and shared resolve to elevate the technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space,” it said.

According to the White House, the two leaders will discuss ways to further expand educational exchanges and people-to-people ties, as well as work together to confront common challenges from climate change to workforce development and health security.

Modi arrived in Washington from New York where he led a historic event at the UN headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities.

He is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Biden and the First Lady.