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A ceremonial reception was accorded to United States President Barack Obama at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Monday morning.
At 9:45 am, Obama's cavalcade arrived on the red clay path outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan, flanked by horses.
Obama and First Lady Michelle were welcomed warmly at the presidential palace forecourt by President Pratibha Patil and her husband Devisingh Patil.
They were then greeted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. The military band played the national anthems of the United States and India.
After receiving the ceremonial guard of honour, Obama and Michelle met and greeted several Indian and foreign dignitaries.
Obama also fielded a question about how he viewed his maiden trip to India.
"We thank the people of India for their extraordinary hospitality. We share an extraordinary people-to-people contact and my hope is that during my discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and others, we will be able to build on commercial ties, strengthen our bilateral relations on international economy and on counter-terrorism for a secure US and India in the future," he said.
Obama added, "US and India will work on international principles and for peace and stability, not only for the two countries but for the world."
"United States intends to strengthen what is already an incredible partnership between US and India to what will be a defining partnership of the 21st century," he said.
The First Couple then proceeded to Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi at Rajghat, where they will pay tribute to the father of the nation.
He will also hold formal talks with Dr Singh and address a joint press conference.
In the evening, he will address Parliament before heading for a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan.