After a hectic day of formal discussions, it was time for some 'black tie' dinner diplomacy ''under the stars'' for US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when they met at the first State banquet hosted by Obama Administration.

All roads seemed to head towards White House for the banquet which was held in an exotic heated make-shift tent in the White House lawns last night. The President and the First Lady stood at the gate welcoming the guests, who included political leaders, top industrialists, scholars, film personalities and other high and mighty from both countries. The tent was erected in one month to accommodate all the invitees numbering about 400. Initially, the total number of guests was scheduled to be 140 but after the White House was deluged with calls, the list swelled to 400 forcing the venue to be shifted outside. High and mighty among the Americans and Indian Americans sat under the transparent and waterproof tent for candle-light diner.

As the guests were inside, US First Lady Michelle Obama, wearing a shoulder-down cream coloured gown designed by Indian-American designer Nayeem Khan, entered the tent accompanying Mrs Gursharan Kaur.