After his visit to France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a visit to Washington DC where he met President Donald Trump, later with World’s richest billionaire Elon Musk. Also, Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence. Modi was the fourth leader to meet Donald Trump ever since he assumed a second term in office after Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
The short visit lasted for only 36 hours, where Modi discussed key issues between the two countries ranging from trade to immigration. Today, we discuss about Port Blair, the US President’s guest house where PM Modi stayed during the visit.
The official government Guest House is located at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue, right across the White House. Before Prime Minister’s arrival, the Indian flag was hoisted at the Blair House and he was welcomed by the Indian diaspora on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning in India).
Blair House: A historical landmark
The federal style townhouse was constructed in 1824, bought by Francis Preston Clerk from Frankfort in 1837. His editorials at ‘The Globe’ earned him political power and positioned his influence. It was home of Blair family for over a century, until the US government purchased it to be a premier accommodation for dignitaries visiting the States from all over the world. It serves as a home to the official guests to the President during their visit.
Blair House is where Queen Elizabeth II stayed. Other world leaders like British PM Winston Churchill and even Vladimir Putin stayed at the Blair House during their US visit. The US-President elect also stays in Blair House in the days before his inauguration. It is now nicknamed as ‘World’s most exclusive hotel’ and ‘Uncle Sam’s Guest House’ making it the BnB choice of world’s top leaders.
The exclusive property spans over an area of 70,000 square feet with four connected townhouses featuring 119 rooms. This includes 14 guest bedrooms, three formal dining spaces, 35 bathrooms and a fully functioning complete beauty salon. 16 full-time employees form the staff of the property, making it nothing less of a luxurious mansion. The maintenance of Blair House is managed by the US Department of State and the General Services Administration.
Blair House décor reflects American craftsmanship with antique furniture and distinguished artwork that portrays the nation’s history, values and prevalent hospitality. The decors, furnishings and heritage collections at the Blair House are supported through financial and in-kind contributions made to the Blair House Foundation. There have been renovations to the house as and when needed. Beautiful gardens were introduced to the property after the 1980s renovation.
Beyond being a guest house
According to the property’s website, “Blair House serves as a site for American Diplomacy in action. In addition to functioning as the President’s Guest House for visiting foreign leaders, Blair House is a stage for a multitude of internationally focused events that help to advance America’s relationship with foreign nations.”
The property has been more than simply a guest house serving the official guests. It has been used for other purposes as well, that includes holding briefings from the White House officials, organizing the G-8 Summit of the foreign ministers in 2012, along with several cultural exchanges for foreign diplomats as well as their families. In a single year, the property witnesses up to 30 visits by foreign leaders that includes foreign policy related luncheons, dinners, receptions and teas, and a countless official meetings. Not only the world leaders, but the house has even hosted their pets, making it all luxurious for them at the same time.
Former Indian PMs hosted by Blair House
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not the first on the chair to be hosted by Blair House. Former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi stayed here during their visits.
But some other Prime Minsters afterwards opted to stay in hotels. Indira Gandhi herself, then Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narsimha Rao too. During his visit in 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stayed at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel which is just three blocks away from White House. In 2005, he accommodated in Blair House only.
Blair House also follows strict security measures, being the official guest house of the US President’s guests to Washington. This makes it a little cumbersome and difficult for the leaders to manage guests and schedule their meetings at the property. Therefore, some of them stay in hotels instead.
