Batting for the Indian team were Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T K A Nair, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Nirupama Rao, India's ambassador to China. The Chinese side were represented by the Indians's counterparts.

A guest present at the dinner later marveled at the bon homie between the two prime ministers as they discussed the challenges of development in their respective countries. "It was also not the usual dinner where only the leaders chat and we listen," this guest said, "we had interesting exchanges with our counterparts."

The guest would not confirm if the two sides had discussed any dramatic breakthrough at the dinner, which could be finalised when Dr Singh meets Wen and President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People on Monday evening.

Image: Dr Singh with his Chinese counterpart at the dinner reception.