Why It Was Important To Host The Indian PM In A State Dinner

[Yavin4]

There's a thread on GDP calling into question the need for an ostentatious White House state dinner in these poor economic times, and I want to answer that thread. The White House holds state dinners for a variety of international diplomatic reasons. They send signals to the world.

Last night's state dinner was to honor the PM of India, Manmohan Singh. Our relationship with India, the world's largest democracy, is critical to our goals in Afghanistan and Pakistan. India and Pakistan distrust one another, and Pakistan considers India a bigger threat than the Taliban in Afghanistan. Last year at this time, India's capital Mumbai, was attacked by gunmen from Pakistan. Pakistan's CIA, called the ISI, was cited as the source behind these attacks. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5394686.stm). ISI was also rumored to have ties with Osama Bin Laden (http://tiger.berkeley.edu/sohrab/politics/isi_problems.html).

However, Pakistan is considered an ally by the US on the war on terror. They also have nukes, and their government is on shaky ground. So, the White House is trying to do several things at once. They're trying to build up the govt and defense forces of Afganistan, while hoping that Pakistan's govt also remains stable. The U.S. is pouring tons of money into Pakistan in order to do all of this, and India is becoming worried that Pakistan will use that money against them.

IOW, it's a very delicate balancing act, and having a formal state dinner does help ease some tension abroad.

[Clio the Leo]

1. Exactly. NT

[Cleita]

2. So who besides tea baggers were complaining? n/t

[babylonsister]

5. Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=16846&mesg_id=16846

[Cleita]

7. I guess I missed that. Thanks. n/t

[jenmito]

6. Check out this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=16846&mesg_id=16846

[Cleita]

8. Yes, I see now.

I guess the Obamas must do sack cloth and ashes according to some.

[jenmito]

11. And if they DID do sack cloth and ashes,

they'd complain about poorly representing the American people.

[Cha]

3. Rec'd~ Thanks Yavin, this needs to be

understood. Most people could already see why it's important but there's the "Obamas are putting on airs" crowd who don't understand the importance of this kind of diplomacy.

[jenmito]

4. K&R. It was very important and the WH handled it perfectly. n/t

[Cha]

10. "Green Affair"..check out this article, jen.

<snip>

"In a green affair featuring locally grown food and held on the White House lawn, U.S President Barack Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to his first official state dinner Tuesday night.

The black-tie gala was seen as an important gesture of co-operation between the two countries.

It was held under a tent on the South Lawn of the White House, in keeping with a theme of “the Obamas' dedication to green and sustainable elements,” according to an official White House summary.

The food included vegetables grown in the White House garden; a meatless entree to satisfy Mr. Singh, a vegetarian; and gift bags that included a jar of honey from White House beehives. Locally grown magnolias lined the dinner tent.

WHY INDIA?

In welcoming the crowd to his first state dinner as President, Mr. Obama praised the relationship between India and the United States, the world's two largest democracies."

<more>
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/the-obamas-state-dinner-for-india-a-green-affair/article1376477/

[jenmito]

17. Thanks for the article...

it was very long but very informative. I hope all the haters read it and learn something from it! :hi:

[Cha]

19. Very interesting, too!

:hi:

[HopeOverFear]

9. thanks for this

[kestrel91316]

12. Did FDR stop having state dinners during the Great Depression even???

I didn't thiink so.

[msongs]

13. FDR hosted the king and queen of England and served them HOT DOGS lol nt

[Arkana]

14. Pretty sure the world (that was paying attention)

viewed that as rather a large faux pas. Still, without electronic media and an angry, conservative-dominated print media, it didn't create that much of a buzz.

Eleanor said that the queen's mouth was too small to eat hot dogs--I remember listening to it when I was watching the History Channel FDR special.

[Cha]

15. They on a PICNIC.

[Cha]

16. And, the Obamas served the PM of India..Indian Food.

[Cleita]

18. Nancy and Ron served Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip tacos. n/t