WATCH: Biden mistakes Indian anthem for American, raises hand to heart

US President Joe Biden was caught in an awkward moment where he was seen putting his hand on his heart as the Indian national anthem played while standing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday.

Modi — who is Indian PM since 2014 — was welcomed by the President at the White House while he was on his state visit to the US. 

There were reported to be 7,000 guests during the event and were treated by the music from the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, with a multi-gun salute as they were standing alongside each other on the South Lawn.

As the anthem started President Biden put his hand on his heart and kept it there for several seconds but after realising that it was not his anthem, he put his hand down, likely irking Indian people.

He after listening, recognised that the bands were not playing "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"I've long believed the relationship between the United States and India … will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century," Biden said on the occasion.

"Since I've become president, we've continued to build a relationship built on mutual trust, candour and respect."

Biden called on more than 70 lawmakers earlier to voice his concerns about the purported erosion of religious, press and political freedoms in the world’s most populous democracy under Modi.

"The president will also remain respectful while raising the issue of human rights abuses with Modi, who has agreed to a rare news conference with reporters," the New York Times reported.

"The question of where politics and the question of democratic institutions go in India is going to be determined within India by Indians. It’s not going to be determined by the United States," national security adviser Jake Sullivan said of the visit.

"So what we can do is our part, and our part is to speak out on behalf of universal values."

Modi’s visa for the US was revoked by the US authorities in 2005 after he failed as a chief minister of the Indian state of Gujarat to end anti-Muslim riots that resulted in more than 1,000 deaths.

Modi is to be honoured at a State Department luncheon Friday hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He also is scheduled to address members of the Indian diaspora before departing for India.