United States President George W Bush [Images] looked cheerful as he was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan [Images] on Thursday morning.

Bush exchanged more than the usual two words of greeting with Finance Minister P Chidambaram [Images] and Commerce Minister Kamal Nath [Images] during the introductions to Dr Singh's ministers.

A visibly elated Bush later told reporters, "I have been to many capitals around the world. I have never seen a reception as well organised and as grand as the reception we just received."

Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images