Obama and Singh's Press Conference Video Nov. 8

The Obamas Dine at Prime Minister Singh's

Somehow, I just can't imagine Mike Pence, Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin representing us in another country:

New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) With camel-mounted bands on either side and another playing on the terrace, what was initially billed as an intimate “private dinner” for about 20 people by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur for US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle turned into a grand affair that was described by about 60 Indian and about ten American guests as “outstanding” and “magnificent”.

The dinner, on the lush front lawns of the prime ministerial residence at 7 Race Course Road, was held under a semi-open marquee that, along with the music-filled atmosphere and lights, made it, in the words of a guest, a setting “straight out of the Arabian Nights”.

The bands were drawn from the Border Security Force and the Indian Navy. They played soft non-intrusive music that complimented the perfect weather and the glittering ambience. More at ThaIndian

See who was there.

Another good rundown of the dinner.

Obama Travels to India Nov. 7-10

After much speculation and jostling with dates, US President Barack Obama is slated to make his first official visit to India in November second week.

It is learnt that both sides have agreed to hold the visit on November 7-10 after the conclusion of Congressional elections in the US.

Now that a set of dates is on the table, sources said, preparations have already begun with November 8 being planned as the day for official meetings. Indian Express

Obama will stay at the Taj Mahal hotel, apparently, the site of a 2008 terror attack. He'll meet with other world leaders while there:

Obama plans meetings with foreign leaders, including Chinese President Hu Jintao. That get-together comes at a time of rising economic and trade friction with China. Obama's itinerary doesn't include a stop in China, which Obama visited last year.

"It's a not a coincidence, necessarily, that we're going to four Asian democracies on this trip," said Obama's deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes. "We want to underscore the success of democracy in Asia and around the world." More at AP

In yet another new video series from the White House, Robert Gibbs answers the "first question" on Obama's trip to India:

Obama's Meeting With India's Singh at G20 Video

Obama said he and Michelle have accepted an invitation to visit India.

Hu to Have Dinner at the White House

At the G20, Obama invited China's President Hu Jintao to din din. This will be the third state dinner at the White House. The first was India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and most recently, Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico.

Read Obama and Hu's remarks on their meeting at the G20 here.

Obama's Schedule in Toronto for G20 June 27

9 am eastern (all times eastern), Obama takes part in G20 opening session.
10:15 am, Obama takes part in G20 leaders working session.
10:45 am, another G20 session.
12:30 pm, Family photo of G20 leaders.
1 pm, Obama meets with My Summit 2010 Youth.
1:15 pm, Obama lunches with G20ers.
3 pm, Obama takes part in another session.
4:45, Obama meets with Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh.

State Dinner More Than a Party

A review of the State dinner honoring India's Prime Minister Singh, including one pastry chef's quibble:

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Obama Toasts Singh at White House State Dinner

Obama speaks, then India's Prime Minister Singh. He wishes us a Happy Thanksgiving. I like Singh. He's eloquent and serene. I'll post more video as it pops up.

Obama Welcomes Prime Minister Singh to the White House

Update: Obama and Singh's press conference:

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There will be a press conference at 11:40 am eastern, which will be live streamed at WhiteHouse.gov. It's also being live streamed at cnn.com. Politico is streaming tonight's state dinner here.
Here's something interesting, in his leaked document, Stanley McChrystal warned against a stronger relationship with India, which is more reason to fire him. In my humble opinion, McChrystal is aligned with the neoconservative war mongers, including Dick, and I think McChrystal's "leaking" his own documents.

Obama welcomes Singh:

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The Obamas host their first state dinner tonight. A preview:

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Obama Set to Meet Indian Prime Minister Nov. 24

Obama and Singh at the G20 in London.

Obama is meeting with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow. There will be an arrival ceremony at 9:10 am eastern. There will be a press conference at 11:40 am eastern. In the evening, there will be a dinner in honor of Singh. The events are set to be live streamed at WhiteHouse.gov.
A discussion of what's on the table:

India's Singh Asks Obama For an Autograph

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Obama Speaks Wants Auto Czar

Some of the bites from Politico's playbook:

Yesterday, he talked to Pope Benedict. From the transition last night: 'Throughout the day today, President-elect Obama returned phone calls to world leaders and expressed his appreciation for their congratulations on his election. Today, President-elect Obama spoke with the following leaders: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil; His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI; Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India; His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan; President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya.

Obama wants an auto czar:

Politico's Carrie Budoff: 'President-elect Barack Obama wants a high-profile point person to oversee reforms in the ailing auto industry, according to members of Obama's transition team. ... The person would assist in efforts to create an 'economically viable auto industry,' a transition aide said – a move that could alleviate concerns about protecting taxpayer interests if more money is directed to assist automakers.'

Obama hires Sam Nunn for transition help:

The transition issues an unusual formal statement rebutting this AP story: 'President-elect Obama has hired former Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Sam Nunn to help shepherd his Pentagon transition, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. ... Similarly, a senior administration official said former Secretary of State Warren Christopher would advise Obama on his State Department transition.' Originally, the story had said the two would 'head his transition teams at the Pentagon and State Department.'

The statement from Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Spokesperson Stephanie Cutter: 'Senator Sam Nunn will play an informal senior advisor role throughout the defense transition process. His expertise and the respect he has earned will be invaluable to ensure a smooth transition. Secretary Christopher is deeply respected in the United States and throughout the international community. However, he is not playing a role in the transition process. There's a lot of disinformation out there. We're working hard to put the agency review teams together and expect they'll be announced this week and inside the agencies by the end of the week.'

In case you care, secret service names, which aren't very secret but are fun:

President-elect Obama: Renegade
Michelle Obama: Renaissance
Malia Obama: Radiance
Sasha Obama: Rosebud
Vice President-elect Joe Biden: Celtic
Jill Biden: Capri

Malia and Sasha on Hannah Montana? The Obama team says it hasn't received an invitation.

N.Y. Daily News cover – 'HANNAH OBAMA! Miley Cyrus wants First Kids on show': 'President-elect Barack Obama's girls have been invited to appear on the Disney Channel's mega-hit 'Hannah Montana' ...'We're pleased that Malia and Sasha are fans and, as long as their parents say it's okay, they are invited to the set of 'Hannah Montana,' and all Disney Channel shows, for a guest role or a visit, anytime,' the cable network said in a statement. The president-elect's staffers told the Daily News no decisions have been made.'