State dinners are useful tools for celebrating the culture of the visiting leader, so on Thursday evening, President Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden, hosted a 400-person soiree replete with sequins, saris and saffron-colored flowers in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. Meatless delicacies and sweet treats, like rose-cardamom strawberry shortcake, were offered to please the vegetarian guest of honor. The two leaders joked soberly — literally — about their relationship. The good news, Mr. Biden said, was that “neither of us drinks.”Holding a glass of ginger ale, Mr. Biden went on to toast “two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers.”

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Persons: Biden, Jill Biden, Narendra Modi, soberly —, “, ” Organizations: India, ”