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The American media, over the past few days, has covered the flair and panache of first state dinner hosted by US President Barack Obama for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, more than the politics of the visit.
Television and newspapers highlighted every aspect of the event including its dinner menu, guest list, decorations, the Naeem Khan designed dress worn by First Lady Michele Obama, and the toast made by President Obama where he said 'Aapka Swagat hai' (you are welcome).
The CNN channel covered the grand dinner for about two and half hours with the Prime Minister's visit being covered by Larry King who interviewed Khanthe designer of the dress and an intensive report in their morning show called American Morning -- focusing on 'why India is important to America.'
The New York Times that covered the dinner wrote that while the dinner had all the old traditions, 'President Obama and his wife Michelle made sure to infuse the glittering gala with distinctive touches,' and 'Obama's shook things up by serving, among other dishes, Indian food to an Indian delegation, typically a no-no,' writes the daily, which scanned the menu for its website. The NYT blog called the Caucus was constantly updated particularly during the joint press conference.
However, the headlines for the blog piece read, "Obama Plans Afghan Address Next Week," reflecting the lukewarm coverage of the more serious issues discussed between Washington and New Delhi.
The Western media showed a limited interest on the big political questions on the table. Much of the news here was dominated by Obama's plan to announce his decision on the level of Afghan troops after thanksgiving, and his declaration of going for the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference on December 9 on his way for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo.
Many newspapers offered a 'wrap up of events' kind of coverage including the short Wall Street Journal piece that led with the headline that both leaders 'pledged to expand their countries' strategic partnership on issues ranging from counter-terrorism to global warming.'
Other pieces focused on Singh's remarks at the US-India Business Council and the Council on Foreign Relations on new areas of economic cooperation between the two countries, the calls for more investments in India, the nuclear-cooperation deal, and the deepening of relations between the two countries.
On the other hand, the Indian media in US took the White House by surprise with a turn out of almost a 100 journalists believed to be the largest media contingent so far covering an Indian Prime Minister's visit.
Image: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US president Barack Obama addressing the guests before the state dinner in Washington, DC
Photograph: Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia Text: Betwa Sharma in Washington, DC for PTI