WASHINGTON — Seeking firmer footing for U.S.-India relations, President Barack Obama tried Tuesday to calm India’s fears about Asian rival China, salving bruised feelings in the world’s largest democracy with an elaborate state visit and assurances of India’s “rightful place as a global leader.”
“The relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century,” Obama declared — twice — during a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The two appeared before reporters in the East Room after an elaborate morning welcome ceremony that was moved indoors by rain and about two hours of private talks in the Oval Office. The day-long White House extravaganza in India’s honor was capped with the day’s most buzzworthy event: the first state dinner of Obama’s presidency.
The black-tie party for more than 300, featuring a mostly vegetarian meal of curry prawns, aged basmati rice, eggplant salad, lentil soup, potato dumplings and other delicacies served under a giant tent on the South Lawn, was a must-have invite.
In a dinner toast, Obama said, “We celebrate the great and growing partnership between the United States and India.”
“Tonight under the stars, we celebrate the spirit that will sustain our partnership, the bonds of friendship between our people,” the president added.
The Obamas sought to add their own flair to the evening. Marcus Samuelsson of the award-winning New York City restaurant Aquavit was brought in to help prepare the food alongside White House chefs. Two Oscar-winners topped the entertainment lineup, American Jennifer Hudson of “Dreamgirls” and Indian A.R. Rahman of “Slumdog Millionaire.”
From the playing of national anthems to repeatedly glowing remarks to the last dinner toast, there was one theme: India is tops on the priority list for America. With relations taking a bit of a back seat recently, it was a message Indians had wanted to hear even before Obama took a just- completed trip to Asia, where he bypassed an India stop and paid much homage to the rising global power of China.
India and China have a strong trade relationship, despite a disputed shared border. And talking of an enhanced role for China in Asian or global affairs — as Obama did repeatedly while in Shanghai and Beijing — raises hackles in India.
