Jawaharlal Nehru visit to USA
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, made his maiden visit to the United States of America on 11th October 1949. He had been officially invited by US President Harry S Truman. Nehru was accompanied by his daughter Indira. On October 13 he addressed the US House of Representatives, becoming the first Indian leader to do so.
Nehru had made a special statement then that has been put on record: “To the people of India, I should like to say that the friendship of America is a treasure which we value and I am sure if these two countries cooperate it would add to the peace of the world and will lead to our mutual advantage.”
In 1956, Nehru visited the States for the second time. He was welcomed by the then US President Dwight D Eisenhower to the White House in Washington DC and Gettysburg (Pennsylvania).
On September 26, 1960 Nehru made his third visit to the US. President Eisenhower and Nehru met in New York while attending UN General Assembly session.
The United Nations looked up to Nehru with hopes and aspirations. That year he also addressed the General Assembly during a special session in New York. During this visit he also visited Chicago, Knoxville (Tennessee), San Francisco, and Madison (Wisconsin).
On Nehru's fourth visit, John F Kennedy was the President of the US. This was his last official visit to the country.
On his visits to the US, Nehru would always interact with young people. He was always made the guest of honor at the Washington National Press club. Journalists liked Nehru quick and witty answers. He always enjoyed media attention.
