Ahead of a game-changing presidential debate, US Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris walked over to her Republican rival Donald Trump and shook hands with him. This was the first time two US presidential candidates have shaken hands since 2016.
The debate also marks the first time the two candidates have met each other face-to-face.
As the two rivals entered the debate stage, Trump headed to his podium on the left to take his place. Kamala Harris, on the other hand, crossed the stage, walked up to him and held out her hand.
"Kamala Harris, Let's have a good debate," she said as she introduced herself to the former president.
"Nice to see you, let's have fun," Trump replied and the two shook hands.
"Thank you," Harris said.
While there is no rule that require the two candidates to shake hand, it does mark a gesture of civility ahead of what is usually a politically brutal face-off.
The high-stakes debate began with a fiery jab by the 78-year-old Republican who called Harris a "Marxist" and claimed that she and President Joe Biden had allowed "millions of people pouring into our country from prisons and jails, from mental institutions and insane asylums."
Harris jibed the former US president several time by calling him a "convicted felon", "friend of dictators" and saying that he used "race to divide the American people."
She said Trump's own former White House security officials have called him a "disgrace." "World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump," she added.
The crucial debate comes only 56 days before the election in what has been a narrow race to the White house.
The last presidential debate in June resulted in Joe Biden pulling out of his reelection campaign and nominating Harris to take his place instead.
Almost all polls have shown the two candidates in a tight neck-and-neck contest.
The debate proved to be a critical chance for the two rivals to battle it out before the US goes to vote on November 5.
Featured Video Of The Day
Manipur Students Stage Protests Over Drone And Missile Attacks
"It Was Three On One": Trump's 1st Reaction After Debate With Kamala Harris "You're Running Against Me, Not Biden": Kamala Harris' Reminder To Trump Key Quotes From The First Harris-Trump Presidential Debate Actor Malaika Arora's Father Jumps To Death From Mumbai Building "Speaking Anti-National Things...": Amit Shah On Rahul Gandhi's Reservation Remark Taylor Swift's "Childless Cat Lady" Post Backs Harris. Elon Musk Replies The US Media Verdict On High-Stakes Donald Trump-Kamala Harris Debate Actor Malaika Arora's Father Jumps To Death From Mumbai Building Donald Trump Says He Doesnt Care About Kamala Harris' Racial Identity Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.