WASHINGTON, 20 July 2005 — President George Bush is famous for snubbing the pomp and pageantry of the presidency, and his dinner Monday in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the first big White House black tie social event in nearly two years to honor a head of government.
The dinner included all the traditional flourishes of a state occasion, and was only the fifth formal dinner since the Bush Administration took office.
Journalists noted the irony that the State Dining Room’s tables had pink and green elephant centerpieces. Not only were these a tribute to India, but the green mums and hot pink roses shaped into pachyderms were also a not-too-subtle reminder of the Republican Party’s mascot.
Bush and his wife, Laura, greeted 134 guests who came to pay tribute to America’s relationship with the biggest democracy in the world. Their guests included the usual mix of dinner guests — Cabinet members, administration officials, members of Congress, representatives of the Indian government and corporate tycoons. Indian American business leaders were seen joyously applauding the toasts between the two leaders. “India and the United States are separated by half a globe,” Bush said in his welcoming toast. “Yet today our two nations are closer than ever before.”
“As two strong, diverse democracies, we share a commitment to the success of multiethnic democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law,” Bush said, “and we believe that by spreading the blessings of democracy and freedom we will ensure a lasting peace for all citizens of the world.”
A Sikh and the first non-Hindu to hold the job, Manmohan became prime minister in May 2004. But no word was said regarding more than the 200 Sikh protesters, unhappy with what they called discrimination against Sikhs, as they loudly picketed in front of the White House while guests arrived for dinner on Monday night.
Once inside, the elegantly attired guests mingled and then dined on a four-course meal that included chilled asparagus soup and lemon crème; pan-roasted halibut, ginger-carrot butter, basmati rice with pistachio nuts and currants and herbed summer vegetables; and salad of Bibb lettuces and citrus vinaigrette.
Dessert was chocolate lotus blossoms — the lotus flower is a religious symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, two of India’s religions — accompanied by a trio of mango, chocolate-cardamom and cashew ice creams.
