WASHINGTON -- Seeking firmer footing for U.S.-Indian relations, President Barack Obama tried yesterday to calm India's fears about Asian rival China, salving bruised feelings in the world's largest democracy with an elaborate state visit and assurances of India's "rightful place as a global leader."

"The relationship between the United States 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 in the East Room after an elaborate morning welcome ceremony, moved indoors by rain, and about two hours of private talks in the Oval Office. The daylong White House extravaganza in India's honor was 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 featured a mostly vegetarian meal of curry prawns, aged basmati rice, eggplant salad, lentil soup, potato dumplings and other delicacies and was served under a giant tent on the South Lawn.

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.

From the playing of national anthems to repeatedly glowing remarks and the last dinner toast, there was one theme: India is high on America's priority list.

Obama honored Singh with a toast in which he called the United States' relationship with India a "great and growing partnership."

He said the two leaders are bringing their countries together as never before.

Singh returned the praise, saying Obama's election has allowed millions of Indians to dream of their own future.

It was a message Indians had wanted to hear even before Obama's recent trip to Asia, in which he bypassed India and paid homage to the rising global power of China.

India and China have a strong trade relationship despite a disputed shared border. But talking of an enhanced role for China in Asian or global affairs -- as Obama did repeatedly while in Shanghai and Beijing -- raises hackles in India.

Obama also has lavished attention on Pakistan since taking office, hoping to boost Pakistani cooperation in the fight against al-Qaida and other extremists based along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan and India are nuclear-armed rivals that have fought two wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.

The president refused to be drawn into the tense India-Pakistan relationship by reporters.

Obama said "it is not the place" of the United States to try to resolve such conflicts from the outside. At the same time, he said America will do what it can to ensure that both Pakistan and India feel secure and able to address the needs of their citizens.

One of Obama's first promises at Singh's side was to visit India next year.

From start to finish, there was one theme: India is high on America's priority list.