Washington ( CNN ) -- Diners who attended President Barack Obama 's evening meal Monday were treated to a three-course menu of fusion fare with hints of the subcontinent . Not partaking : the guest of honor , Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who is midway through a strict religious fast . After encouraging other guests to eat , he sipped only warm water . The timing of Modi 's visit , which coincides with the Hindu festival devoted to the goddess Shakti , was n't expected to deter from the high-level discussions on trade and security , White House officials said before Modi 's arrival . And on Monday evening , guests including Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry did enjoy a gourmet meal from the White House kitchen during the working dinner . Opinion : Why Modi 's visit matters . The menu included an avocado salad with goat cheese , crisped halibut with carrot ginger sauce and basmati rice , and mango crème brûlée . Ahead of Modi 's trip to the United States , which includes a whopping 50 stops to visit with CEOs and a speech at the United Nations , officials said he intended to survive solely on `` nimbu pani '' -- or water with lemon -- for nine days . At the White House Monday , Modi presented Obama with a copy of `` The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi , '' a Hindu religious text that was annotated and translated by the Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi . The Indian Ministry of External Affairs posted several photos from the White House proceedings : . .
President Obama and Prime Minister Modi meet for the first time over dinner . Because of a religious fast , Obama consumed only warm chocolate . Other guests dined on potato salad and halibut .