The White House welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur was shifted indoors due to continuous rains.
The welcome ceremony was shifted from the South Lawn to the East Room inside the White House.
The East Room can accommodate a much
smaller capacity as compared to the South Lawn that can accommodate over 400 people, which resulted in a very restricted ceremony for the Indian Prime Minister.
Dr. Singh arrived at the East Room at 9.15 a.m. (US Time) and was welcomed by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Many Indian American leaders and activists who had travelled from all parts of the country to witness the historic ceremony had to stay out of East Room.
After Dr. Singh reviewed the Guard of Honour, he and President Obama made opening remarks at the dais flanked by senior cabinet officials of both countries, after which they had a private conversation.
President Obama and Prime Minister Singh will hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House after their conversation.
After that Dr Singh's along with the Indian delegation will leave for the US State Department for a luncheon co-hosted by Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.