Obama India State Banquet

India may have watched with some wariness as the US feted attention on countries such as China and Pakistan but I expect much will be forgiven by the treatment afforded to President Singh and his wife on their State visit to Washington.

This from the Washington Post:

"....And the Obamas' first state dinner in honor of India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Gursharan Kaur, was under a tent built on the South Lawn. There were so many ways for the fantasy to transform into a soggy and muddy nightmare. And yet it didn't.

For her debut as the first hostess, Michelle Obama had eschewed the standard and more manageable gathering of about 130 in the State Dining Room. Instead, she and the president welcomed some 400 guests, who made their way through a receiving line and then on to cocktails and dinner under the tent."

And now for some pics.

The PM and the President plus wives below.

Guests were entertained in a giant pavilion by Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar-winning star of Dreamgirls, A. R. Rahman, creator of the mood music for Slumdog Millionaire, and an ensemble from the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch.

Obama's missus is perhaps one of the more glamorous 1st ladies there has been

Got to agree with that unicronic! Here's another top one though.

Back to topic, I think it's great that the Obama's eschewed countries such as France, Britain, Germany, China and gave pole position in honouring them with their first state dinner to India.

indeed, a fresh faced move. A potentially sound move to strengthen international ties

Maybe the initiative to combat terrorism is more solid this time

Let's hope so Jai.