OBAMA BACKS 'GLOBAL LEADER' INDIA

"The relationship between the US 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 after an elaborate welcome ceremony that was moved indoors by rain and about two hours of private talks in the Oval Office.

The White House extravaganza in India's honour was to be capped with the day's most buzz-worthy 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 Washington's premier must-have invite.

Menu, decor and attendance details - each designed to celebrate Indian culture and delight Indian guests - were kept tightly held until just hours before guests arrived in their finery.

The Obamas sought to add their own flair to the evening, as they have with all their entertaining since they took over the White House in January. Marcus Samuelsson of the award-winning New York City restaurant Aquavit was brought in to help prepare the food alongside White House chefs and two Oscar-winners topped the entertainment lineup, American Jennifer Hudson of "Dreamgirls" and Indian A.R. Rahman of "Slumdog Millionaire."