Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee arrived at the White House for talks with President George W. Bush on Friday to reaffirm strong bilateral ties, despite a US desire to bind New Delhi`s rival Pakistan into its war on terror.
Amid unusual pageantry, the Indian leader passed US soldiers lining the driveway of the presidential mansion and holding US state flags, entering the building just after 11 am (1600 GMT). He did not speak to reporters.
The two leaders were expected to hold a joint press availability at 11:45.
Vajpayee`s meeting with Bush comes a day before the US president is due to meet President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Washington`s role in South Asian geopolitics has become even more finely-balanced since terror attacks on New York and the Pentagon on September 11 that killed around 5,000 people.
Policymakers must reconcile a long-term goal of developing ties with India with their need for Pakistan`s help in the battle against terror suspect Osama bin Laden. Bureau Report