Prime Minister Narendra Modi entering the White House in Washington (Press Information Bureau)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the White House for his meeting with President Barack Obama in a black SUV which drove up to the West Wing entrance. US and Indian flags flew from the fenders of the vehicle.
A military honour cordon lined the White House driveway. Crowds that had gathered outside the gates cheered as the vehicle began to make its way over from Blair House, the government guest house across from the White House, where PM Modi had spent the night.
Earlier in the day, he paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi located near the Indian embassy in Washington DC.
On the eve of Tuesday's talks, President Obama hosted the Prime Minister for a private working dinner at the White House. PM Modi had given advance notice that he would not eat because he is observing the Navratri fast.
Typically, visiting heads of state spend just a portion of a day at the White House meeting with the President and other US leaders. The rare second day of attention from President Obama underscored the White House's desire to give a warm welcome to the PM, who was once barred from entering the US.
Following their Oval Office meeting, President Obama and PM Modi traveled together to the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial on the National Mall, just a few blocks from the White House.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder along the Potomac River, they gazed up at the towering white sculpture of the civil rights leader's face and chatted together before the PM headed to the State Department for lunch with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry.