The Menu at Barack Obama's Dinner for Narendra Modi

Though it was expected that the menu at President Barack Obama's dinner would all be a vegetarian affair, the royal feast was a balanced mixed of food items. According to sources, the Indian side had expressed a desire not to include non-vegetarian dishes during the private dinner keeping in mind sensitivities of the Prime Minister who is observing Navratri fasts.

Last week, the White House had said they respectfully accommodate the practices of visiting guests.

"As with all guests hosted by US Presidents over the years, we always work to respectfully accommodate the practices of our visitors," said Caitlin Hayden, spokesperson of the National Security Council.

The menu however, comprised of a spread including compressed avocados, crisped halibut, safron Basmati rice and salmon. US President Barack Obama hosted this grand dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had only warm water due to his navaratrifast. Though there was a plate put in front of the Prime Minister, he only had warm water and asked rest of the guest not to feel embarrassed and continue with their dinner, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

The dinner was attended by limited number of guests from each side. While from the US, Vice-President Joe Biden, Secretary of State William Burns, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, USAID's Rajiv Shah were among the nine guests, Indian delegation had External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Ambassador to the US S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh among others.

The dinner also had mango creme brulee for the guests. The Prime Minister has been observing Navratri fasts for last 40 years and this year it coincided with his five-day US visit from September 26.