Departing from protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday personally extended a warm welcome to United States President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle at the Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi.



Dressed in a beige churidar-kurta and an orange shawl draped causally over his shoulder, PM Modi and Obama hugged each other.



The welcome party at the airport tarmac included BJP's Piyush Goyal who is acting as Minister-in-Waiting to Obama on this trip, and India's Ambassador to the US S Jaishankar.



Obama gave Modi a long handshake, continuing to clasp hands and smile as they talked for a minute. They then posed for news cameramen before the visiting dignitaries departed in ‘the Beast’, the US presidential vehicle, for ITC Maurya.



Michelle Obama's geometric and flower patterned outfit is reportedly designed by Indian couturier Bibhu Mohapatra, NDTV reported.  She has worn Bibhu Mohapatra before, when she appeared on Jay Leno's show. She has also been known to wear creations by American designer of Indian origin, Naeem Khan.