November 24: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the Administration’s first official state visit. The state dinner was intended to be a shining moment for the first couple and social secretary. But the aftermath has been dominated by discussion of the now-infamous “party crashers,” Michaele and Tareq Salahi, who stole the headlines of the state dinner. You can find our earlier galleries on the state visit here and here.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Brian Mosteller, deputy director of Oval Office operations, peers in on a closed door bilateral meeting between President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Also pictured, from left, are personal secretary Katie Johnson, Chief of Protocol Capricia Marshall, Huma Abedin, adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama await the Indian first couple. The always-quotable vice president called Prime Minister Singh the “hottest ticket in town.”
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Prior to the evening’s state dinner, Secretary of State Clinton talks with the first couple.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
In the State Dining Room, President Obama greets CEOs from American and Indian companies. During their joint press conference, the leaders of the world’s largest democracies discussed trading partnerships and innovation in environmental technology.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
The two leaders proceed together as the East Room ceremonies begin.
Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy
First Lady Michelle Obama, seated next to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, applauds one of the evening’s many performances.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Indian dancers perform.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
An aide to the first lady, wearing a radio on the back of her dress, watches as the first couple greets guests in the Blue Room of the White House. After the story of a couple that arrived uninvited broke, the White House faced a barrage of criticism for its apparently flawed security.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
The now-infamous “party crashers” greet President Obama at the Blue Room reception.
Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton
The president, according to Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, is angry about the security breach at the state dinner. The “party crashers” were also captured with senior officials in the White House, like Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. If the typically serene president is upset, one can only guess at the reaction from the acerbic Emanuel.
Photo by Newscom
President Obama and Chief of Protocol Capricia Marshall send off the state visitors. Although he did not include India in his recent Asia tour, Obama pledged to visit the country soon.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
