By Arun Kumar
Washington, July 28 (IANS) Chicken samosas were among the fare served at a White House reception hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for ambassadors including Indian envoy Meera Shankar.

Besides the Indian delicacy, waiters bore trays of tequila smoked salmon on crisps, leek tartlets, petit filet mignon sandwiches, cream brulee and blueberry vanilla tartlettes as Obama pledged renewed US engagement with the world at the reception Monday.

Musicians from Marine String Ensemble performed a handful of light jazz songs including “Shadow of Your Smile” and “Come Back to Sorrento” under the glint of chandeliers in the Grand Foyer as champagne flowed.

Diplomacy has always been critically important to all nations, Obama said with Michelle at his side. In the 21st century, “we cannot solve our problems until we solve them together,” he said.

“For centuries diplomats have come together to discuss war and peace, commerce and exchange,” he said. “But now it is hard to think of an issue that matters to our people that does not depend in some way upon cooperation among nations.”

Obama said health, education, energy, the environment, the arts and sports all benefit from cooperation among nations.

“And that’s one reason why I came into office with a strong commitment to renew American diplomacy and to start a new era of engagement with the world,” Obama said.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)