Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Under a glowing white marqee with a glass ceiling and chandeliers, US President Barack Obama toasted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the lawns of the White House at the first state dinner of his presidency to celebrate the "great and growing friendship" between India and the US.

"Aapka Swagat Hai (you are welcome)," said the daal-loving Obama, in a slightly accented Hindi, setting the perfect mood for Washington's most discussed social event, symbolising romance and friendship between the world's great democracies.

"In India, some of life's most precious moments are often celebrated under the cover of a beautiful tent. It's a little like (that) tonight," Obama who turned out in a full black-tie tux told the Indian prime minister.

"We have incredible food, the music, and are surrounded by great friends," he said.

"It's been said that the most beautiful thing in the universe are the starry heavens above us and the feeling of duty within us. Mr. Prime Minister, today we worked to fulfil our duty to bring our countries closer together than ever before."

"Under the stars, tonight we celebrate the friendship between India and the US. We celebrate the great and growing partnership between India and the US," Obama said to ringing applause from a star-studded audience of over 320 guests.

Chants of A.R. Rehman's 'Jai Ho' resonated in the marquee as the beautiful and the powerful partook a predominantly vegetarian dinner, save for prawns. It was a sartorial feast too, with American women rediscovering the calm magic of the Indian sari, and giving a tough competition to hottest designer labels in the town.

The guest list at the Obama presidency's first state dinner was an eclectic one, and packed under the majestic marquee were some of the most powerful, wealthiest and talented Indians and Americans.

Over 300 guests arrived for the dinner hosted on the lawns of the White House as their names were announced with Oscar-style fanfare. They posed before the paparazzi, smiled, traded small talk, with society columnists dissecting every small detail of what they wore and what they thought.

Actors Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg and Indian-American auteur M. Night Shyamalan, musician A.R. Rehman, who composed the Oscar-wining score for blockbuster "Slumdog millionaire", competed for attention with writer Jhumpa Lahiri, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, author Thomas Friedman and new age guru Deepak Chopra.

The entire American establishment, including Vice-President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Obama's trusted aides like Rahm Emmanuel and Valerie Jarrett were among those present at this power-packed gathering.

"Everyone looks great; we're feeling great," White House social secretary Desiree Rogers said as she gingerly walked to the dinner venue on the South Lawns.

Indian billionaires Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani, high profile, high achieving Indian-Americans like Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi, the young and powerful Anish Goel, South Asia expert in Obama's National Security Council, Rajat Gupta of McKinsey fame were among those who cheered as Obama pledged to take India-US ties to a new high.

Invoking Diwali celebrations and Guru Nanak's birthday he hosted at the White House, Obama lauded over two million Indians who are enriching American life in all corners of the country.

An admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, Obama recalled fondly the legendary Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, and said "his words speak to our hopes tonight".

"It's the bond of friendship between a president and a prime minister who are bound by the same unshakeable spirit of possibility and brotherhood that transformed both our nations, the spirit that gave rise to movements led by Gandhi and King, and which are the reason that both of us can stand here tonight," he said.

The giagantic white shamiana resonated with convivial cheer as Obama proposed the toast to "great triumphs and achievements" that await the two countries as they forge a twenty-first century partnership.

Manmohan Singh warmly reciprocated Obama's greetings, saying he was overwhelmed by the warmth of his hospitality and the courtesy extended to them and the grace and charm of First Lady Michelle Obama.

In a speech punctuated by applause, Manmohan Singh showered praise on Obama, saying his journey to the White House has captured the imagination of millions of people in India.

If Obama invoked Gandhi and Nehru, Manmohan Singh recalled the words of Abraham Lincoln in a heart-felt tribute to the man thirty years his junior who shattered the glass ceiling to become the first African-American president of the US.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years," he said quoting Lincoln.

Manmohan Singh also praised Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

He said, "The coveted award was a recognition of the healing touch you have provided and the power of your idealism and vision."

Conjuring a robust picture of India-US relations, Manmohan Singh, who is the third Indian prime minister to be accorded the signal honour of the state dinner, said the two countries must find new pathways of international cooperation that respond more effectively to grave challenges confronting the world.

"A strong and sustained engagement between our two countries is good for our people and the world. We are embarking on a new phase of our partnership," he said.

Obamas toast India at a 'night to remember'

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) President Barack Obamas' first state dinner in honour of the Indian prime minister has created quite a buzz in the US media with one daily calling it a "Night to remember" and another focusing on how "A-listers, fundraisers" made it to the event.

Calling it "A night to remember", the Washington Post said: "The amount of pomp was just enough to give rise to goose bumps but not discomfort. Every speech was spot-on eloquent, not just one for the history books but one that mesmerised the ear with its musical cadence."

But the conservative Washington Times turned the spotlight on "A-listers, fundraisers" attend White House state dinner.

"President Obama's first state dinner attracted a bevy of Hollywood A-listers, big-money fundraisers and Washington power brokers to fete Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh under a big top erected on the White House's South Lawn to accommodate the larger-than-typical guest list," it noted.

"Movie moguls Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg joined big money bundlers such as Penny Pritzker, Mr. Obama's presidential campaign finance chairman, and media bigwigs Katie Couric of CBS News and Brian Williams of NBC News at the dinner for more than 300."

The influential New York Times took a different tack focusing on "Modern Flourishes as Obamas Host State Dinner".

"It is an old tradition, a White House dinner governed by ritual and protocol that happens to be this city's hottest social event. But at their first state dinner on Tuesday night, President Obama and his wife, Michelle, made sure to infuse the glittering gala with distinctive touches," it said.

"They hired a new florist, Laura Dowling, who bedecked the tented outdoor dining room with locally grown, sustainably harvested magnolia branches and ivy. They selected a guest chef, Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit in New York, an American citizen who was born in Ethiopia, reared in Sweden and cooks up melting pots of flavours and cuisines," the Times noted.

CNN turned its attention on how "Obama's first state dinner blends pageantry with politics."

"President Obama toasted a growing US friendship with India at the first state dinner of his administration Tuesday, an evening of regal pageantry and symbolic politics in a tent on the White House South Lawn," it said.

A tradition dating back to 1874, state dinners are the most treasured and formal honour a US president can offer a foreign dignitary, and the most coveted invitation in Washington, it noted.

Guess who came for Obama-Manmohan dinner?

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Guess who came for US President Barack Obama's first state dinner? Washington's worst-kept state secret was out Tuesday evening as Hollywood moguls, billionaire tycoons, powerful senators and prominent Indian Americans gathered for the hottest social event in town at the White House.

The glamour and glitz mingled with high gravitas and pomp of office at the biggest social event of the Obama presidency held in honour of India's highly respected economist-turned-prime minister Manmohan Singh and his spouse Gursharan Kaur.

Over 300 guests arrived for the dinner hosted in a majestic white tent on the South Lawns of the White House as their names were announced with Oscar-style fanfare. They posed before the paparazzi, smiled, traded small talk, with society columnists dissecting every small detail of what they wore and what they thought.

Actors Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg and Indian-American auteur M. Night Shyamalan, musician A.R. Rehman, who composed the Oscar-wining score for blockbuster "Slumdog Millionaire", competed for attention with writer Jhumpa Lahiri, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, author Thomas Friedman and new age guru Deepak Chopra.

"Everyone looks great; we're feeling great," White House social secretary Desiree Rogers said as she gingerly walked to the dinner venue on the expansive lawns.

"We are trying to have a good time," gushed Energy Secretary Steven Chu, a Chinese American scientist and a Nobel prize winner who visited India earlier this month.

The political establishment, sporting black tuxedo and black tie, turned out in full strength.

Vice-President Joe Biden, Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Representative Howard Berman were among the power pack who dutifully trooped to the most glamorous party hosted by the Obama administration.

Top Indian billionaires like Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Bharti Mittal, who between them contribute a sizable portion of India's GDP, were also present.

The spirit of bipartisanship that Obama has championed was reflected in the choice of guests.

Among the prominent Indian-Americans who attended the power do were Indra Nooyi, the CEO of PepsiCo, Rajat Gupta of McKinsey fame, Vishakha Desai, president of Asia Society, Kamla Harris, district attorney of San Francis district, hotelier Sant Chatwal and Sonal Shah, an economist who heads Obama's office of social innovation.

Michelle Obama's dinner gown, made in India by an Indian

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) First Lady Michelle Obama glowed in a silver-sequined, strapless gold and cream gown Tuesday night at the first state dinner hosted by her husband in honour of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. She owed her dazzling appearance to the Indian-born US-based designer Naeem Khan.

Khan has earned a niche in the fashion world for dressing Hollywood A-list women, including Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Katherine Heigl, Eva Longoria and even Queen Noor of Jordan.

Michelle Obama's fabulous gown was crafted at the designer's family workshop in India, with 40 people working to create this fashion masterpiece that combined regal style with a traditional sari-dress.

In an interview with CNN's Larry King, Khan said he wanted to dress the first lady in something "Indian, chic, simple but very glamorous".

"For me to be part of this historic occasion, being Indian, it is beyond amazing. It is an incredible moment for me."

In the morning while welcoming Manmohan Singh's spouse Gursharan Kaur at an elaborate ceremony at the East Room of the White House, Michelle Obama, a fashion icon known for choosing dresses that reflect what a writer has called fashion democracy, wore an orange and russet dress that stood out for its austere beauty and elegance.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Obama wore a skirt crafted by Indian-American Rachel Roy as she previewed the state dinner, customs, china, protocol and entertainment for children and the media.

Text of Manmohan Singh-Barack Obama joint statement

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Text of the Joint Statement between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama issued after their summit Tuesday:

INDIA AND THE US: PARTNERSHIP FOR A BETTER WORLD

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama today reaffirmed the global strategic partnership between India and the US, and launched a new phase in this partnership. Commending the deepening bilateral cooperation between the world's two largest democracies across a broad spectrum of human endeavours, the two leaders recognised that the common ideals and complementary strengths of India and the US today provide a foundation for addressing the global challenges of the 21st century.

The two leaders noted that the shared values cherished by their peoples and espoused by their founders - democracy, pluralism, tolerance, openness, and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights - are acquiring an increasingly greater prominence in building a more peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, secure and sustainable world. These values are exemplified by the vibrant linkages between their peoples, which are a unique asset for both countries, and are reflected in the role played by the Indian-American community.

The two leaders resolved to harness these shared strengths and to expand the US-India global partnership for the benefit of their countries, for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, and for the betterment of the world. To this end, they committed to build upon the India-US Strategic Dialogue announced in July 2009. President Obama stated that the US looks forward to a stable and prosperous India playing an increasingly important role in world affairs.

ADVANCING GLOBAL SECURITY AND COUNTERING TERRORISM

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama recognised that the India-US partnership is indispensable for global peace and security. In this context, the interests of both countries are best advanced through the values mirrored in their societies.

They acknowledged the common threat that international terrorism poses to regional and global security. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and declared that there could be no justification for terrorism anywhere.

On the eve of its first anniversary, President Obama reiterated the US's condemnation of the terrorist attack in Mumbai in November 2008. The two leaders underscored the absolute imperative to bring to justice the perpetrators of this terrorist attack.

They expressed their grave concern about the threat posed by terrorism and violent extremists emanating from India's neighbourhood, whose impact is felt beyond the region. The two leaders agreed that resolute and credible steps must be taken to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that provide shelter to terrorists and their activities. These undermine security and stability in the region and around the world.

They vowed to redouble their efforts to deal effectively with terrorism, while protecting their countries' common ideals and shared values and committed themselves to strengthening global consensus and legal regimes against terrorism. They decided on a Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative to expand collaboration on counterterrorism, information sharing, and capacity building.

The two leaders reiterated their shared interest in the stability, development and independence of Afghanistan and in the defeat of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan and Afghanistan. President Obama appreciated India's role in reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan. The two leaders agreed to enhance their respective efforts in this direction.

The two leaders committed to continue pursuing mutually beneficial defense cooperation through the existing security dialogue, service-level exchanges, defense exercises and trade and technology transfer and collaboration. They recognised the scope for cooperation in the areas of non-traditional threats to security, peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief, and maritime security and protecting sea lanes of communication. They agreed to expedite necessary arrangements to facilitate these activities.

The two leaders agreed that strengthening high technology trade between their countries is in the spirit of their strategic dialogue and partnership. They reiterated their shared commitment to technology security and that it is in their mutual interest to invigorate this area of their partnership.

ENSURING SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

Recognising that energy security, food security, climate change are interlinked, and that eliminating poverty and ensuring sustainable development and a clean energy future are among the foremost global objectives, the two leaders agreed to enter into a Green Partnership to address these global challenges.

They two Leaders reaffirmed their intention to promote the full, effective and sustained implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in accordance with the Bali Action Plan. Recognising their special role in promoting a successful and substantive outcome at the UNFCCC 15th Conference of Parties at Copenhagen in December, 2009, they reaffirmed their intention to work together bilaterally and with all other countries for an agreed outcome at that meeting.

The two leaders also affirmed that the Copenhagen outcome must be comprehensive and cover mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology, and in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, it should reflect emission reduction targets of developed countries and nationally appropriate mitigation actions of developing countries. There should be full transparency through appropriate processes as to the implementation of aforesaid mitigation actions. The outcome should further reflect the need for substantially scaled-up financial resources to support mitigation and adaptation in developing countries, in particular, for the poorest and most vulnerable. It should also include measures for promoting technology development, dissemination and transfer and capacity building, including consideration of a center or a network of centers to support and stimulate climate innovation. India and the US, consistent with their national circumstances, resolved to take significant national mitigation actions that will strengthen the world's ability to combat climate change. They resolved to stand by these commitments.

Recognising the need to create the clean energy economy of the 21st century, Prime Minister Singh and President Obama agreed to launch a Clean Energy and Climate Change Initiative. The goal of the Initiative would be to improve the lives of the people of both countries by developing and improving access to technologies that make our energy cleaner, affordable and more efficient. The initiative will include cooperation in wind and solar energy, second generation bio-fuels, unconventional gas, energy efficiency, and clean coal technologies including carbon capture and storage. The success of this Initiative is expected to enhance the ability of India and the US to provide new economic opportunities for their people and create new clean energy jobs.

The two leaders intend to take practical steps to promote global food security, including by advancing the L'Aquila Food Security Initiative. They looked forward to increasing India-US agricultural cooperation with the purpose of promoting agricultural research, human resources capacity building, natural resource management, agri-business and food processing, and collaborative research for increasing food productivity. This cooperation would contribute to joint development of technology that would improve weather forecasting, including predicting monsoons, and technology that would contribute to food productivity and food security efforts in India.

They agreed to collaborate in the application of their space technology and related scientific capabilities in outer space and for development purposes, including in the field of agriculture.

The two leaders reiterated their intention to realize the full potential of the India-US Agreement for Cooperation concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy through the implementation of its provisions. They agreed to expedite US firms' participation in the implementation of this agreement.

STIMULATING GLOBAL ECONOMIC REVIVAL

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama noted the new opportunities offered by their economies and their respective strengths, and their potential for future growth to catalyse global economic growth, and pledged to create conditions that would facilitate their continued expansion.

The leaders also noted that the US is currently the largest trading partner of India in goods and services.

The leaders reiterated their pledge to bolster and deepen cooperation on economic, trade and agricultural issues, including working bilaterally and with multilateral trade organisations to foster increased trade. Both leaders welcomed the potential for further expanding trade and investment between their countries, including in sectors such as infrastructure, information and communication technologies, healthcare services, education services, energy and environmentally friendly technologies.

As members of the G-20, they agreed to advance the G-20 understandings including with regard to energy security and resisting protectionism in all its forms. The two leaders agreed to facilitate greater movement of professionals, investors and business travellers, students, and exchange visitors between our two countries to enhance their economic and technological partnership.

They committed to strengthen and reform the global economic and financial architecture in the G-20, World Bank and the IMF. They resolved to seek an ambitious and balanced outcome of the Doha Round, consistent with its mandate and reaffirmed their commitment to an open, fair, equitable, transparent and rule-based multilateral trading system.

The two leaders announced their intention to develop a Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment. This Framework is expected to foster an environment conducive to technological innovation and collaboration, promote inclusive growth and job creation, and support opportunities for increased trade and investment - including for small and medium-sized enterprises. They agreed to launch the US-India Financial and Economic Partnership to strengthen engagement on economic, financial, and investment-related issues.

The two leaders welcomed the progress achieved in the discussions on a Bilateral Investment Treaty and pledged to take further initiatives that would contribute to creating a more conducive environment for investment flows.

They recognised the contribution of the business and industrial sectors of both countries in this regard and called upon the India-US CEOs Forum to identify new directions in the India-US economic relationship.

EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING FUTURE GENERATIONS

Recognising the cultural emphasis on education in both countries, Prime Minister Singh and President Obama emphasised that education holds the key to the advancement of their societies, and to a more prosperous and stable world.

They agreed that access to and development of technology was a cross-cutting requirement to meet the challenges that their two countries face. They acknowledged the fruitful collaboration between the two countries in the fields of education, research and science and technology, which has contributed to their emergence as knowledge societies.

Taking advantage of that strength, President Obama and Prime Minister Singh launched the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative with funding from both sides to increase university linkages and junior faculty development exchanges between the US and Indian universities, including greater emphasis on community colleges.

They agreed to substantially expand the Fulbright-Nehru programme to provide more student and scholar exchange grants in priority fields such as science, technology and agriculture. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of expanding cooperation in higher education and research, and according priority to cooperation in the area of skill development.

They also expressed their support for the India-US Binational Science and Technology Commission and the Endowment, which is expected to give a fresh impetus to collaboration in the cutting edge areas of scientific research, technology and development.

The leaders affirmed the importance of women's empowerment to advancing global prosperity and stability, and welcomed the establishment of a Women's Empowerment Dialogue to promote women's participation and equality in all spheres. They emphasised that women's empowerment is a cross-cutting goal that should be pursued across the full scope of US-India Strategic Dialogue initiatives.

PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF OUR PEOPLE

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama welcomed the strong collaboration between India and the US in the area of public health. They agreed to build on existing strong ties across academia and scientific communities by advancing public health and biomedical research collaborations between the US and India. The two countries plan to establish a Regional Global Disease Detection Center in India and to build a partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The leaders also pledged to enhance collaboration in controlling diseases such as polio, and discovering new and affordable technologies and treatments for the benefit of their peoples and for those of other countries who seek their assistance.

TOWARDS MORE EFFECTIVE GLOBAL COOPERATION

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama recognised that the India-US relationship is important for managing the challenges the world will face in the 21st century.

The two leaders underscored the compelling need to put in place global institutions which are both inclusive and effective to meet present and future challenges. They welcomed the emergence of the G-20 as a premier forum to deal with international economic issues. The two leaders recognised the scope for their countries to increase cooperation in peacekeeping, development and the promotion of essential human freedoms. They committed themselves to achieving genuine reform of the United Nations including in its Security Council in a manner that reflects the contemporary realities of the 21st century and thereby enhances its ability to carry out its mandate as a representative, credible and effective forum for meeting the challenges of the new century.

Prime Minister Singh thanked President Obama and the people of the United States of America for their generous hospitality and warm welcome. President Obama looks forward to visiting India with his family in the near future.