India

TPMDC Video: Michelle Obama Previews State Dinner

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 6:32PM

First Lady Michelle Obama with schoolchildren at state dinner

First Lady Michelle Obama today previewed the first official state dinner of the Obama presidency, talking about the importance of honoring visiting dignitaries.

The guests are arriving now and will dine under a large tent set up on the White House South Lawn.

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India

Steven Spielberg, Fareed Zakaria, Tom Friedman Among Guests At State Dinner

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 5:49PM

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria, and filmmaker Steven Spielberg

Producer Steven Spielberg, music mogul David Geffen and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman are among the guests at tonight's White House state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) will be attending, and he's not the only Republican.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is attending, as is Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN).

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent who has backed the White House on key matters, also is attending.

Ari Emanuel, brother to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

Congressional leadership, Cabinet members and White House staffers are on the list, including incoming general counsel Bob Bauer.

Oprah Winfrey isn't on the list, but her best friend Gayle King, is.

Television personalities Katie Couric of CBS, Brian Williams of NBC and Sanjay Gupta and Fareed Zakaria of CNN are on the list.

Late Update: The Associated Press caught another journalist on the list - Washington Post national editor, Rajiv Chandrasekaran.

Full guest list after the jump.

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India

Biden Toasts India's Singh: 'You're Hottest Ticket In Town'

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 5:36PM

Vice President Joe Biden

As part of the official state visit festivities today, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted a lunch for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the State Department this afternoon.

Biden told Singh he was so popular they couldn't find a large enough room to host everyone who wanted to be there.

"There's a phrase Mr. Prime Minister here in this country, you're the hottest ticket in town," Biden said.

Biden toasted Singh with a Gandhi quote.

"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves," he said. "I would argue that as we adapt to this new century, as we enter this new era of growth and prosperity, as we remake ourselves India and America, and our partnership will help remake the world."

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Feast

Prawns, Pralines And Pumpkin Pie On State Dinner Menu

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 2:04PM

Press hustles to photograph the sample place settings for the first official state dinner of the Obama presidency.

The White House is offering reporters a preview of tonight's state dinner, from the menu to the table settings.

TPMDC is among dozens of news outlets currently crammed into the state dining room, where two tables have been set up to show how the festivities will play out this evening.

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India

Obama And Singh Pledge U.S.-Indian Cooperation

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 12:13PM

Indian Prime Minister Singh, President Obama

During a joint press conference on the first official "state visit" of the Obama presidency, President Obama said he and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have pledged cooperation between the world's two largest democracies.

"The relationship between our two countries has never been stronger," the president said.

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India

Obama Says India-U.S. Relationship A 'Defining Partnership'

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 9:44AM

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama

President Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today at the White House, saying it was "fitting" that India was the first country to be hosted for an official state visit.

Obama said the nations can work together to curb the effects of climate change, end poverty and strive for a world without nuclear weapons. He said they each are "speaking out and standing up for the rights and dignity" that all humans deserve.

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