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11:11

The news conference is supposed to begin around 11:30 a.m. ET. The White House plans to webcast it here. You can expect coverage on the cable news networks as well.

11:14

Earlier this morning, the president and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the prime minister and his wife, Gursharan Kaur, to the White House.

The president told Singh that:

"Mr. Prime Minister, yours is the first official state visit of my presidency, and it is fitting that you and India be so recognized. This visit reflects the high esteem in which I and the American people hold your wise leadership. It reflects the abiding bonds of respect and friendship between our people, including our friends in the Indian American community who join us here today.

"But above all, your visit, at this pivotal moment in history, speaks to the opportunity before us -- to build the relationship between our nations, born in the last century, into one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century."

11:16

At the arrival ceremony, Singh told Obama that:

"India and America are separated by distance, but bound together by the values of democracy, pluralism, rule of law, and respect for fundamental human freedoms. Over the years, we have built upon these values and created a partnership that is based upon both principle and pragmatism. Our relations have been transformed, and today they encompass cooperation in all areas of human activity.

"Mr. President, I've come today to build upon these successes and to strengthen our multifaceted relationship. We seek to broaden and deepen our strategic partnership, and to work with the United States to meet these challenges of a fast-changing world in this 21st century. "

11:23

As we said, Singh will be honored at a State Dinner this evening. Guests will be dining in a large tent that's been set up on the South Lawn of the White House. And the Associated Press reports that:

Singer Jennifer Hudson, who's won a Grammy and an Oscar, is headlining an entertainment lineup that also includes Indian performers, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because details weren't being announced until later in the day.

11:36

NPR White House correspondent Scott Horsley tells us that:

There was considerable grousing among the reporters covering the president's recent Asia trip about the lack of opportunities to question him. At his joint news conference in Japan, he and the prime minster took just two questions -- one each from the Japanese and American press. Similarly, there were just two questions in Seoul. There were no questions after his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao. One might have blamed that on the hosts. But if reporters are kept on an equally tight leash at the White House today, there will be more complaints that Mr. Obama is deliberately avoiding their questions.

11:41

Here's a photo from earlier today of first lady Michelle Obama and Prime Minister Singh's wife, Gursharan Kaur:

11:41

11:41

(Photo by Alex Wong of Getty Images.)

11:43

You've probably noticed: Things are running late. But the news conference should be starting soon.

11:49

On the topic of sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, CNN reports that:

If President Barack Obama decides to send 34,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, a new national poll indicates Americans would be split over whether to support such a move.

Half of the people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey say they'd support such a decision, with 49 percent opposed.

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