In the history of US-India relations, there’s been plenty of broken bread and even a few crumbled Triscuit crackers.

American presidents have entertained India’s leaders over fine wine and even finer food for the past 60 years — at grand White House dinners with hundreds of guests in black-tie, at an intimate Sunday lunch and away from Washington’s prying eyes near a storied Civil War battlefield.

At his first White House state dinner, scheduled for later in Tuesday evening, US President Barack Obama will put his stamp on the tradition the White House uses to honour foreign leaders.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is coming for a state visit and all that it entails — a pomp-filled welcome ceremony that was brought inside the White House because of rainy weather, private time with Obama, a joint news conference and then the state dinner, to be held outside for 320 people.

First lady Michelle Obama’s staff, which has planned what could be Washington’s hottest social event since the inauguration, has kept a tight lid on the details. But some elements, like the huge white tent on the South Lawn, couldn’t remain secret. That alone means hundreds more people will be attending than if dinner had been scheduled indoors in the State Dining Room, which seats a maximum 140 guests.

Singer Jennifer Hudson, who has won a Grammy and an Oscar, is headlining an entertainment lineup that also includes Indian performers, said an administration official.

Michelle Obama also is bringing in a guest chef, award-winning Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit, a Scandinavian restaurant in New York City, to help the White House kitchen staff prepare the meal.

... contd.