Earlier culinary experiences at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been disappointing, making one despair at the talent on the President's catering staff. For the visiting American leader, Rashtrapati Bhavan's chefs seem to have got their act together, serving up one appealing dish after another.

The only discordant note seem to have been struck by the absence of a cultural event at the dinner.

"The Americans packed so much at the State dinner for the prime minister," noted one guest who had been at the White House that July 18, 2005 night. "So why couldn't we have had something to show off our rich culture?"

Entertainment was provided by a naval band that played a medley of Indian and American tunes, including Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara and Dil De Key Dekho. As the dinner reached its conclusion, President Bush, accompanied by President Kalam and Prime Minister Singh, marched up to the band, thanked its members and posed for pictures with them, as a proud Admiral Arun Prakash beamed at his boys.

Image: President Bush thanks his Indian hosts and the Indian people for the welcome.

Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Also See: Complete Coverage: President Bush in India