WASHINGTON (Reuters) – “Are we related?” U.S. President Joe Biden questioned India’s Prime Minster Narendra Modi during their meeting at the White House Friday.

“Yes!” Modi replied with a joke.

Biden told Modi that he learned of an Indian branch in the Biden family in 1972 when he was elected as Congressman. He also received a letter written by a Biden resident in Mumbai.

Biden explained that he discovered there was Captain George Biden who served as a captain with the East India Tea Company.

It’s difficult for an Irishman admit that! He said, laughing about the East India Company that laid the foundations for the British Empire. However, it was destroyed more than 150 centuries ago.

Biden claimed he found out that George Biden was born in India, and had married an Indian woman. However, he added, “I have never been able track it down so this whole point of the meeting is to him to help us figure who he really is!”

Modi stated that Biden mentioned his connection with him before and that he searched for documentation to fill in any gaps in the family tree.

“Today, I’ve brought along some documents… Perhaps they could help you.” Biden laughed at his jokes.

The U.S.-India relationship has been steadily improving and Washington regards India as a crucial partner in their efforts to counter Chinese influence in Indo-Pacific. Biden, Modi and the Australian leaders were invited to the Quad grouping in order to further discuss the issue.

Modi expressed gratitude to Biden for allowing Indo-U.S. relationships to flourish. Biden also stated that it was in the best interests of all nations that their relationship with the two most powerful democracies is “destined” to become stronger, more close and even tighter.