Hosting visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over lunch at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department here, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, acknowledged that whatever he might do, he can't match the "rock star" reception that Modi received from the Indian- American community in New York over the weekend.
"Mr Prime Minister, I'm forced to admit that no matter how warm our welcome here today, we're never going to be able to top your rock star reception at Madison Square Garden," Kerry said with Modi standing by his side at the State Department. His remarks attracted applause and laughter from the audience.
"Billy Joel (American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer) called me this morning to make sure you hadn't taken his regular gig there,” said the Secretary of State.