The unusual pageantry and absolute commitment to time (as my colleague Aziz Haniffa noted, "Bush loathes ceremony, which is why he does this so rarely, but he is a stickler for time. You just watch.").

We were herded out of the boiler room that passes for the White House press briefing room (as a fan of The West Wing and C J Cregg, the television series' White House press secretary, I was shattered) about 30 minutes to nine.

The White House's East lawns were full of people -- Indians of all hues (Sikhs in colourful turbans, Bohri Muslims in their traditional burkhas and caps, smart young desis looking good, even a few Missionaries of Charity waving Indian flags) and many Americans (Republicans by the sound of it, given the rousing cheer they greeted President George W Bush with) eager to view the first State ceremony in this administration's second term.

Behind us -- the Indian media delegation were granted a vantage view on the television camera stand, above the crowds -- were American troops waiting to mount the 21-gun salute for Dr Manmohan Singh.

With military (well, what else) precision, formations of troops began to appear.

First, the military band. Then soldiers bearing the tricolour and the Americans Star and Stripes marching smartly to the first floor of the White House, where they stood resplendent with both flags. Then came the pipers, dressed in the colours of the early soldiers of the Republic, followed by the guard of honour from five wings of the US military.

All this within 15 minutes.

Also See: First Look:The Summit